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SUE A. — ARLINGTON, VA
Climate change is intensifying heat waves, severe storms and floods. Here’s how you can safeguard your home against the elements.
In Bluemont, a new owner makes peace with his home’s complicated Confederate past.
An 1881 Queen Anne home in WaycroftWoodlawn gets a new lease on life.
A restored Sears kit home in historic Maywood goes for maximum efficiency.
PEOPLE
Whether he’s running a 150-mile race, running the company he built, or running a fundraiser for someone in need, Frank Fumich just never stops running.
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat and drink your fill of Benedicts, bloody marys, pancakes, mimosas and more. Midday meals never tasted so good.
REAL ESTATE
Spring selling season is nearly upon us! Here are the top-producing real estate agents and teams in our area.
10
Letter from the Publisher
12 Contributors
14 Around Town
Get ready for Irish music, egg hunts, an Earth Day festival and Hair, the musical.
22 Big Picture
A public art installation in Virginia Square is open to interpretation.
24 Familiar Faces
He turned down an audition. The theater’s artistic director wouldn’t take no for an answer.
28 My Life
Growing up Mongolian—in Arlington.
136 Great Spaces
During Covid, their dining room was overrun with office equipment. Now they’ve taken it back.
168
198
138 Prime Numbers
Thinking of buying or selling? Our expanded real estate guide compares home sales data in more than 400 neighborhoods.
168 Restaurant Review
At Surreal in National Landing, chef Enrique Limardo is indulging his taste for whimsy.
172 Home Plate
Killer cookies, divine dumplings and a new hot spot for seafood-centric Tex-Mex.
174 Places to Eat
Our dining guide includes bite-size writeups on more than 250 area restaurants, takeouts and bars.
195 Shop Local
For literary types, a new indie bookstore, and a community gallery/studio offering art for sale and bookmaking workshops.
198 Driving Range
Got plans for spring break? How about a woodsy escape to a treehouse cabin?
204 Get Away
Head for spring wildflowers in the Shenandoah, a bird-themed music hotel or a sumptuous stay on a street once known as “Millionaire’s Row.”
208 Back Story
This Black-owned business was founded during segregation to provide dignity to grieving families. It’s still serving the community today.
31 Test of Time Profiles
77 Home Showcase
150 Real Estate Agents
186 Summer Camps
PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER
When Will founded Evermay, he brought a diverse and experienced team together with a single goal in mind: strengthening families through a comprehensive approach to wealth management. Today, Will is still applying his entrepreneurial spirit to help individuals and families manage and grow their wealth. He lives with his wife and two children in Great Falls, Virginia.
HISTORY DOESN’T HIT you in the face in Arlington like it does in other communities. No one would confuse Arlington with, say, Old Town Alexandria or Georgetown, where grand Georgian and Federal-style homes stand alongside Colonial-era wood frame row houses. Even next door, in Falls Church City, you can drive through neighborhoods like Broadmont and marvel at the gorgeous Victorian homes.
Not so much in Arlington. If you get the chance to visit a historic home here, you should feel lucky. (I do.) And I applaud those who purchase and restore homes with history, given that it’s often more costeffective (and potentially lucrative, if the home is on a large and subdividable lot) to tear down and start over. Exhibit A: The 150+-year-old Febrey-Lothrop Estate at the corner of Wilson Boulevard and North McKinley Street. The house was torn down in 2021 and the land is being redeveloped. To learn about the fascinating history of this home, visit ArlingtonMagazine.com and search “Febrey-Lothrop House”.
In this issue, we feature three historic homes that have been lovingly and painstakingly restored. Two of them—a Queen Anne Victorian and a Civil War-era farmhouse—are wonderful examples of classic 19thcentury architecture. The third is a Sears kit home in historic Maywood. Sears may not scream “historic” to you, but these prefab homes built between 1908 and 1942 had an influential impact on early 20th-century architecture and continue to have a loyal following today.
Shifting to the broader real estate market, we heard from a lot of agents in 2023 that the market was challenging and their sales volume was down. Among other factors, mortgage rates were the highest we’ve seen since 2000-2001. Homeowners didn’t want to trade their 3% rate for a 7% rate, so they weren’t moving. Inventory dropped as a result.
The data in our real estate guide on page 138 corroborates what we’ve been hearing. Looking at a fiveyear period (2019-2023), the number of homes sold in the 16 ZIP codes we serve (Arlington, McLean, Falls Church) peaked in 2021 at 6,465. By the end of 2023, that number had declined by 37% to 4,093 homes sold. Some areas were a real bloodbath. Our smallest ZIP code (22213) saw a 55% decline, followed by 22201 (home to Lyon Village, Lyon Park and Maywood) with a 50% decline. Our annual list of Top Real Estate Producers had 20% fewer agents and teams qualifying for inclusion, compared with last year. The list starts on page 118.
That’s the bad news. The good news? As of press time in late January, inflation was falling and some sources showed it is now close to the Fed’s target rate of 2%. Unemployment was around 4% (under 5% is considered good). The Dow and S&P recently broke records. Interest rates are still high (based on what we’ve grown accustomed to), but many experts believe they will drop to the low 6% range by the end of 2024 and hit 5.5% in 2025. Plus, people will have to start moving again. They can’t delay their plans forever. I just heard from an agent who told me she couldn’t believe how busy the market was for a January. Fingers crossed for a strong spring market and a solid 2024.
I hope you find our March/April issue interesting and informative. As always, contact me anytime at greg.hamilton@arlingtonmagazine.com. You can reach our editor at jenny.sullivan@arlingtonmaga zine.com. By the way, this is issue 75, so number 100 is in our sights! Have a great spring.
Greg Hamilton Publisher & Owner
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The new Verstandig Pavilion is open.
Welcome to the new Verstandig Pavilion at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where you’ll find:
• 31 state-of-the-art operating rooms
• Expanded and modernized new emergency department with 32 private rooms
• Access to the most advanced treatment technologies
• 156 private patient rooms with natural, healing light Visit MedStarHealth.org/Pavilion to learn more.
LIVES IN: Glencarlyn (since 1982). “Our house is a mid-1950s one-story brick rambler— sturdy, cozy, with the original linoleum countertops.”
FAMILY HISTORY: “I have lived in Arlington since 1975. My dad, Eric Wolf, was one of the architects of ARPANET, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)-funded project that began in Arlington and evolved into the internet.”
IN THIS ISSUE: Interviewed and photographed Yorktown High alumna Maral Gankhuyag for the “My Life” essay on page 28. The interview is part of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project, which Wolf co-founded in 2007.
LOVES ARLINGTON FOR: “Its wonderful ethnic diversity, widely shared community values, good schools, community centers and parks.”
CURRENT WORK: “I am documenting street memorials to victims of violence in the D.C. area and finishing up a book of photographs of klezmer musicians.”
ONLINE: cpdpcolumbiapike.blogspot.com; lloydwolf.com
LIVES IN: Pentagon City (since 2019) in a mid-rise apartment complex built in the mid-20th century.
IN THIS ISSUE: Penned our feature story on home improvements designed for “climate resilience.”
PERSONAL DESIGN STYLE: “I’d say it’s at the intersection of maximalist and functional. Next to the bulletin board in my office is a string of dried flowers I made from a bouquet in my first apartment. I have brought it with me through every move since.”
LOVES ARLINGTON FOR: “Its many trees and open spaces, despite this being such a densely populated area.”
FAVORITE SPOTS: Origin Coffee Lab, Crystal City’s 23rd Street Restaurant Row and the Aurora Hills public library branch.
CURRENTLY WORKING ON: “My weekly Substack (allisonrshely.substack.com), arts pieces for Washington City Paper and a novel.”
FUN FACTS: “I speak Russian and sing soprano.”
CORRECTIONS: Our January/February feature “Deadliest Dose” misidentified some statistics for Fairfax County. The Fairfax Health District had 58 non-fatal juvenile opioid overdoses in 2023, as reported through ER visits. From January to June of 2023, the district had 65 fatal drug overdoses, three of which were juveniles. A fatal incident in a Falls Church parking lot, initially reported as drug related, was later found to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
PUBLISHER & OWNER
Greg Hamilton
EDITOR
Jenny Sullivan
ART DIRECTOR
Laura Goode
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Danny Ryan
DIGITAL EDITORS
Stephanie Kanowitz, Helen Partridge
WEB PRODUCER
Erin Roby
DINING CRITIC
David Hagedorn
COPY EDITORS
Sandy Fleishman, Barbara Ruben
CO-FOUNDER
Steve Hull
WRITERS
Adele Chapin, Christine Koubek Flynn, Wendy Kantor, Colleen Kennedy, Nevin Martell, Nigel F. Maynard, Kim O’Connell, Jennifer Shapira, Allison R. Shely
PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
Stephanie Bragg, Skip Brown, Jennifer Chase, David Dang, Elman Studio, Lisa Helfert, Tony J. Lewis, Deb Lindsey, Rey Lopez, An-Phuong Ly, Donna Owen, Sam Popp, Robert Radifera, Suz Redfearn, Hilary Schwab, Scott Suchman, Jonathan Timmes, Albert Ting, Joseph D. Tran, Michael Ventura, Jenn Verrier, J. Michael Whalen, Stephanie Williams, Lloyd Wolf, Brian Wolken
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Traci Ball, Kristin Murphy, Lori Reale
FINANCE & CIRCULATION MANAGER
Julie Rosenbaum
ARLINGTON MAGAZINE is published six times a year by Greenbrier Media LLC © 2024
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Buck
APRIL 16-JULY 7
Signature Theatre puts its own psychedelic spin on the groundbreaking rock musical about hippie counterculture, peace, love, freedom and rebellion during a time of war. See website for performance times. Tickets start at $40.
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, sigtheatre.org
THROUGH MARCH 24
Coriolanus
Avant Bard
Shakespeare’s Roman tragedy centering on themes of masculinity, duty, power and violence is told through a virtual reality and video game lens in this production directed by Séamus Miller, managing director of the D.C.-based theater troupe Longacre Lea.
Previews and Saturday matinees are pay what you can. Otherwise, tickets are $40; $20 for students, veterans and military. Arlington students with school IDs receive free admission to any performance, and accompanying adults receive a 50% discount. Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington, avantbard.org
MARCH 1, 7:30 P.M.
Drew Lynch
The Birchmere Lynch, the self-described “Short King” of comedy, took second place in Season 10 of America’s Got Talent, winning over
audiences with his self-deprecating and observational humor. He’s a popular guest on the podcast circuit. $45. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
MARCH 1-10
Encore Stage & Studio
Adapted from the 1812 novel by Johann David Wyss (and the 1960 Disney film), this play follows the adventures of a family shipwrecked on a tropical island. The suspenseful tale of courage is suitable for all ages. See website for performance
APRIL 21, 11 A.M.-5 P.M.
Join the Langston Boulevard Alliance in celebrating the beauty and promise of our planet at this festive Earth Day street fair featuring food, art, activities and locally made goods, all with an environmental focus. Free. Lee Heights Shops, 4500 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington, earthdayonlangston.com
times. $12-$15. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington, encorestage.org
MARCH 5-APRIL 21
Penelope
Signature Theatre
One of the most patient wives in classical literature gets her due in this modern spin-off of Homer’s epic tale. Odysseus has spent 20 years away from home fighting in the Trojan War, defeating sea monsters and bedding goddesses, while Penelope has remained on Ithaca, declining the advances of various suitors and single parenting. In this D.C. premiere of the one-woman musical, Penelope sings her own story of love, waiting, hurting and healing. See website for performance times. Tickets start at $40. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, sigtheatre.org
MARCH 7, 7:30 P.M.
Michael
For 25 years, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance has been dazzling audiences worldwide with its unique combination of high-energy Irish dancing, original music and storytelling. The show returns to the DMV just in time for St. Patrick’s Day with new staging and choreography. Tickets start at $50.75. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
MARCH 8-24
The Princess and the Pea
Creative Cauldron
This adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale finds a series of flawed princesses all vying for the heart of the eligible prince and the absurd test
each must endure to prove her worthiness. See website for performance times. $18$20. 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church, creativecauldron.org
MARCH 13-14, 8 P.M.
The Barns at Wolf Trap World champion Irish dancer Melanie Valdes leads the Culkin School of Irish Dance in celebrating the history of the Irish diaspora in America. Expect lively jigs and reels, and an all-star cast of Irish musicians. Tickets start at $47. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
MARCH 16, 7 P.M.
Capital One Hall
Virginia National Ballet’s Cinderella casts a spell with gorgeous ball gowns, detailed scenery and dazzling choreography that will knock your glass heels off. Tickets start at $35. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
MARCH 23-APRIL 7
The Arlington Players
Winner of the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom blends all the trappings of classic song and dance with a contemporary message about LGBTQIA+ visibility and acceptance. Two girls in love, the citizens of a small town and several over-the-top Broadway stars make it a prom to remember. See website for performance times. $20-$30; discounts for seniors, students and military. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington, thearlingtonplayers.org
APRIL 4-21
In this Tony Award-winning play, Chauncey Miles, a gay burlesque performer at the Irving Place Theater, regales the audience with tales of the naughty, raucous world of burlesque’s heyday in the 1930s. See website for performance times. $15-$55. 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons, 1ststage.org
APRIL 11-28
Creative Cauldron
This Bold New Voices production finds a group of friends convening for a reunion in a southwest Virginia town when an act
The library’s Arlington Reads series commemorating what would have been author James Baldwin’s 100th birthday begins with a visit from biographer Eddie Glaude Jr., author of Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own (2020). Baldwin’s works, which explored questions of identity, politics and America’s promise of equality and justice over four decades, remain timely today, even though the civil rights activist died in 1987. Glaude, a professor in the Dept. of African American Studies at Princeton University, will be joined by library division chief LeoNard Thompson to discuss Baldwin’s legacy. A Q&A and book signing will follow, with books available for purchase courtesy of One More Page Books. Free; advance registration requested. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, library.arlingtonva.us
of vandalism occurs, sparking conflicts that reveal each woman’s values and prejudices. See website for performance times. $20-$45. 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church, creativecauldron.org
APRIL 26-27
The Barns at Wolf Trap
The Barns transforms into a comedy club for two nights of laughs and unrelenting fun with top stand-up comedians. Tickets start at $27. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
MARCH 5, 7 P.M.
Jenny Adams: A Deadly Endeavor
One More Page Books
Local author Jenny Adams will discuss her debut historical thriller, A Deadly Endeavor, which tracks a series of murders of young women in Jazz Age Philadelphia. Free. 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington, onemorepagebooks.com
MARCH 14, 7-8:30 P.M.
Arlington Historical Society
Former AHS President Cathy Hix leads this Women’s History Month event highlighting the contributions of Dorothy Hamm and Elizabeth Campbell—key figures who worked to bring about the desegregation of Arlington schools. Free. Marymount University Reinsch Library Auditorium, 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
MARCH 20, 6:30-8 P.M.
Author Talk:
Monique Rainford
Arlington Central Library
Rainford, a board-certified OB-GYN, illuminates the Black maternal health crisis in her book Pregnant While Black: Advancing Justice for Maternal Health in America. The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Free; advance registration requested. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, library.arlingtonva.us
MARCH 21, 7 P.M.
Natasha Tripplett: The Blue Pickup
One More Page Books
Set in Jamaica, Tripplett’s children’s book
The Blue Pickup centers on a young girl, her grandfather and their love of fixing old cars together. Free. 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington, onemorepagebooks.com
MARCH 28, 6:30-8 P.M.
Arlington Reads:
Anna Malaika Tubbs
Arlington Central Library
In The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation (2021), Anna Malaika Tubbs chronicles the lives of three women who raised and shaped some of America’s most pivotal figures. Her conversation with library director Diane Kresh will be followed by a Q&A session and book signing. Free; advance registration requested. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, library.arlingtonva.us.
APRIL 3, 6:30-8 P.M.
Author Talk: Arline T. Geronimus
Arlington Central Library
Public health researcher Arline T. Geronimus, author of Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society, explores the many ways in which systemic injustice erodes the health of marginalized people. Free; advance registration requested. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, library.arlingtonva.us
APRIL 11, 7-8:30 P.M.
“The Rambler,” the Washington Star’s Local Reporter in Arlington, 1912-1927
Arlington Historical Society
Local historian Martin Suydam takes us back in time to the exploits of journalist and photographer Harry “The Rambler” Shannon (1869-1928), whose beat more than a century ago included the area that is now Arlington. Free. Marymount University Reinsch Library Auditorium, 2807 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
APRIL 24, 6 P.M.
Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary
Arlington Central Library
Gene Baur, founder of Farm Sanctuary, will discuss his work rescuing animals
from factory farms and promoting humane food education programs. Free; advance registration requested. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, library.arlingtonva.us.
MARCH 1, 8 P.M.
John Lloyd Young
The Barns at Wolf Trap
Young won Grammy and Tony Awards for channeling Frankie Valli’s signature falsetto in Broadway’s Jersey Boys. He performs songs from his album My Turn… covering midcentury crooners such as Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and the Righteous Brothers. Tickets start at $37. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
MARCH 2, 6 P.M.
Celtic Underground Concert
Cherry Hill Farmhouse
Enjoy a lively evening of Irish, Americana and folk music in the intimate atmosphere
of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse parlor. $20-$25. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, fallschurchva.gov/celtic
MARCH 2, 8 P.M.
The Barns at Wolf Trap
Bring on the horns. Trumpeters Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III perform jazz and great American songbook standards by icons such as Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and Duke Ellington. Tickets start at $57. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
MARCH 2, 8 P.M.
Kansas
Capital One Hall
Celebrating 50 years of classic rock royalty, the band’s anniversary concert promises hits such as “Dust in the Wind,” “Point of Know Return” and “Fight Fire With Fire.” Tickets start at $49.75. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
MARCH 6, 7:30 P.M.
The Celtic Tenors
The Birchmere
For more than two decades, The Celtic Tenors (Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson) have been charming audiences the world over with their rich Gaelic harmonies. $35. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
MARCH 16, 2 P.M.
Arlington Central Library
The Spruce Quartet performs selections from Franz Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” String Quartet No. 14 and Atonin Dvorak’s “American” String Quartet No. 12. Free. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, library.arlingtonva.us.
MARCH 23, 7:30 P.M.
The Barns at Wolf Trap Virginia is for music lovers! Head out
■ around town for contemporary folk and Americana music by a trio of acts—the New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters, the Blue Ridge Girls and Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small— all hailing from Southwest Virginia and melding Appalachian folk traditions with modern sensibilities. Presented in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts and the Virginia Folklife Program. Tickets start at $22. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
MARCH 23, 7:30 P.M.
Florence Price and Brahms
National Chamber Ensemble
Immerse your senses in classical compositions from the Romantic era, including a lush string quartet performance of works by American composer Florence Price. Acclaimed clarinetist Julian Milkis returns to perform Brahms’ famous “Clarinet Quintet.” $40; $20 for students. Gunston Arts CenterTheatre 1, 2700 South Lang St., Arlington, nationalchamberensemble.org
MARCH 23, 7:30 P.M.
Oleta Adams
The Birchmere
Singer, pianist and songwriter Oleta Adams first rose to fame by collaborating with Tears for Fears on “Sowing the Seeds of Love.” Over the years, she has garnered several Grammy nominations for solo albums that span pop, R&B and gospel. $45. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
MARCH 23, 8 P.M.
Capital One Hall
Everything old is new again in Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. Top 40 hits are reimagined in grand style with a big band and a bevy of talented singers and dancers. Beyoncé meets bebop, Lady Gaga gets jazzy and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is recast as New Orleans blues. Tickets start at $39.50. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
APRIL 4, 8 P.M.
Colin Hay
Capital One Hall
He’s best known as the former frontman of ’80s band Men at Work, but singersongwriter Colin Hay (who comes from a land down under) also boasts a storied
and successful solo career. American Songwriter deemed his most recent album, Now and the Evermore (2021), “an album for the ages.” Tickets start at $54. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
APRIL 12, 8 P.M.
KT Tunstall and Shawn Colvin
The Barns at Wolf Trap
Lilith Fair devotees will appreciate this doubleheader featuring KT Tunstall (“Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Suddenly I See”) and Shawn Colvin (“Sonny Came Home,” “I Don’t Know Why”). Tickets start at $77. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
APRIL 18, 8 P.M.
North Mississippi Allstars
The Barns at Wolf Trap
Blues-rock dynamos North Mississippi Allstars—fronted by brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson—storm the Barns for an evening of up-tempo American roots music. Tickets start at $47. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org
APRIL 28, 7:30 P.M.
Take 6
The Birchmere
The Grammy-winning American a cappella sextet combines jazz and gospel sounds with inspirational lyrics. Take 6 has worked with icons such as Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Queen Latifah and Stevie Wonder. $45. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com
MARCH 30, 9:15 A.M.
Cherry Hill Park
Mr. and Mrs. Bunny have hidden eggs throughout the park, where children 11 and under are invited to hunt for candy and prizes, and pose for hoppy photo ops. BYOB (basket, that is). The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. Free. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church, fallschurchva.gov/egghunt
APRIL 6, 1-4 P.M.
Arlington Historical Society
Arlington County’s oldest home (c. 1750) reopens for the season with an afternoon
of history, food and family fun. See website for details. Free. 5620 Third St., Arlington, arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org
APRIL 6, 10 A.M.- NOON
Cherry Hill Farmhouse
Learn how ice cream was made in the 1800s at this open house featuring yard games, tours and, yes, frozen treats to eat. Free. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church fallschurchva.gov/icecream
APRIL 14, NOON-3 P.M.
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Celebrate spring with live music, art making, story performances and a “Made in Arlington” pop-up market on the lawn. Free. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
THROUGH MARCH 17
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
This MoCA exhibition features a sevenchannel rotating video installation created by the collaborative duo Ghost of a Dream as part of their ongoing project Aligned by the Sun. The show also features all new composite photographs from their series Is This Paradise. Free. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
THROUGH MARCH 17
Lillian Bayley Hoover: Hitched to Everything Else
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
In Hitched to Everything Else, Lillian Bayley Hoover depicts spaces where human infrastructure interrupts or collides with the natural environment. Her complex landscapes confront viewers with an untenable dynamic—the threat that humanity poses to both the natural world and itself. Free. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
THROUGH MARCH 29
Our American Soul Gallery Underground
This national juried show invites artists
to explore the fundamental questions of what makes us American and what defines the American soul. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. March 1. Gallery hours MondayFriday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, arlingtonartistsalliance.org/ gallery-underground
APRIL 2-26
Gallery Underground
Local oil painter Cindy Donohoe’s first solo show captures special moments from nature. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. April 5. Gallery hours Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, arlingtonartistsalliance.org/ gallery-underground
APRIL 5, 5-8 P.M.
Art After Hours
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Celebrate the opening of solo exhibitions by Federico Cuatlacuatl, Liz Ensz, Clarissa
Pezone and MoCA Arlington resident artist Johab Silva. Exhibiting artists will be in attendance, and resident artists will open their studios. Free. Follow @mocaarlington on social media or sign up for MoCA’s email newsletter to gain admission. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
APRIL 12-24
Arlington Artists Alliance
Peruse works for sale by more than 30 members of the Arlington Artists Alliance, including paintings, mixed media, glass, ceramics, jewelry and note cards. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. April 12. Free. Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington arlingtonartistsalliance.org
APRIL 27, 1-3 P.M.
In Conversation: Nekisha
Durrett and Zaq Landsberg
MoCA Arlington Innovation Studio
Join the Museum of Contemporary
Art Arlington for a conversation with artists Zaq Landsberg and Nekisha
Durrett. Landsberg’s traveling sculpture Reclining Liberty is on display in Virginia Square through July. Durrett’s public art installation Queen City was unveiled in Amazon’s Metropolitan Park in 2023. The artists will discuss their respective projects, as well as the rewards and challenges of working in public spaces. Co-sponsored by MoCA Arlington and Arlington Public Art (a program of Arlington Cultural Affairs), this event will take place at MoCA Arlington’s newly opened Innovation Studio in National Landing. Free. 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington, mocaarlington.org
Got a calendar event we should know about? Submit it to editorial@arlingtonmagazine.com
ARLINGTON COUNTY is home to more than 70 permanent public art installations, including Ridge, a dynamic structure by sculptor Foon Sham in Oakland Park along Wilson Boulevard in Virginia Square.
Known for his large-scale organic works hewn from reclaimed materials, Sham draws inspiration from the natural formations and landmarks he has encountered while traveling the globe.
Ridge evokes the undulating landscapes one might see in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains or the Colorado Rockies. Viewed from another angle, its vaulted form—which doubles as a shading element that pedestrians can walk through or sit underneath—has the protective feeling of a cave or cathedral. The structure is made of Kebony wood, a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwood made from treated pine. Since its installation in 2019, the piece has weathered to a shimmery silver on the outside. That’s by design.
Ridge has cousins. For Sham, who was born in Macau and grew up in Hong Kong, the shaggy mass is actually part of a larger series of investigations. Variations of the same form appeared in Arches of Life, a six-piece installation for the Smithsonian’s 2019 Habitat exhibition on the National Mall, as well as in Escape Tunnel , a 62-foot-long sculpture at the American University Museum’s Katzen Art Center. He created the latter in 2017 as a metaphor for the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as his own personal journey.
“That piece was about me chasing my dream as an artist—leaving Hong Kong, where there were no art opportunities, and coming to America at age 21,” says the sculptor, who holds an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and began his career out of a studio at the Arlington Arts Center. He now teaches sculpture and design at the University of Maryland in College Park. His works are in collections worldwide.
“Eventually you get to the end of the tunnel,” he says, “but life’s journey never ends.” ■
Once upon a time, Mark G. Meadows was a reluctant performer. Not anymore.
SIGNATURE THEATRE’S Matthew Gardiner was determined to cast an actual jazz pianist in the lead role of his company’s 2016 production of Jelly’s Last Jam
“Everybody thought I was crazy,” recalls Gardiner, 39, the theater’s associate artistic director at the time. “Everybody was like, ‘You’re never gonna find somebody.’ ”
The role of jazz legend Jelly Roll Morton, he explains, is usually played by a tap dancer. It has been ever since 1992, when the original Broadway part was created around the talents of late actor and dancer Gregory Hines.
Gardiner stumbled upon a video of D.C.-based jazz pianist Mark G. Meadows and asked him to audition for the part. Meadows declined, indicating he was busy recording an album and touring with his band. Plus, he wasn’t an actor, singer or tap dancer.
Unfazed, Gardiner appealed to mutual friends to convince Meadows to reconsider. An elbow-twisting campaign ensued, and a few months later, Signature’s six-week run of the Tony Award-winning musical—billed as a “sizzling memoir of pride, lust and a past denied”—launched Meadows’ musical theater career.
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“After Jelly’s, my life changed,” says Meadows, 34, now living in New York City and serving as associate music director for the Broadway debut of The Outsiders, which opens in April. He’s also director of cabarets at Signature, and travels back to Arlington every month for rehearsals in season.
“I have trapped him in the world of musical theater,” Gardiner jokes. “Mark is the best. He’s a wonderful, musical genius.”
Meadows was born in D.C.’s Fort Totten neighborhood. His mother, Rosa Reeder, is a retired schoolteacher, and his father, Gabriel B. Meadows, is a gospel and jazz vocalist. His parents divorced when he was 5, after which he spent the school year living with his father in Richardson, Texas, and summers in the DMV.
“To be honest, I was forced into music,” Meadows says. “My dad had a rule. He would always say, ‘You can sit here, and you can practice for a half hour, or you can cry for a half hour— but either way, your butt’s going to be on the piano bench for a half hour a day.’ ”
Meadows didn’t love playing music at first, but he was good at it. When he was 5, his dad lied about his age to get him in with a prestigious piano teacher who only worked with kids 6 and older.
As an 8-year-old, he remembers visiting a white-tablecloth restaurant in San Francisco where his father knew the piano player. When the pianist went on break, his dad nudged him to play a song. The restaurant fell silent.
“When I was done, the entire place erupted with applause,” he says. “I had all these women coming up, bringing me $20 bills for this three-minute thing that my fingers did. Seeing the impact [music] could have on people made me realize how powerful this art form was.”
Meadows went on to study with Norah Jones’ piano teacher, Julie Bonk, attending the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and
“My dad had a rule. He would always say, ‘You can sit here and practice for a half hour, or you can cry for a half hour—but either way, your butt’s going to be on the piano bench for a half hour a day.’”
Visual Arts in Dallas, whose alumni also include Erykah Badu and Edie Brickell. “I still wasn’t sure whether or not I loved music,” he says. “It was almost like a chore that I had to do.”
In 2007, he headed to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, majoring in psychology with the goal of going to medical school and becoming a psychiatrist. He picked up a double major in jazz piano at the university’s Peabody Institute, but he still thought of music as little more than a side hustle.
“I grew up seeing the most amazing piano players who could barely drive their hoopty back home because they were just so poor,” he explains. “Making it as a musician is really tough. I had this fear that, as good as I could be, I still wouldn’t be able to provide [for] and support a family.”
His mindset finally started to shift when he graduated from Johns Hopkins in the spring of 2011 and was offered a graduate assistantship to earn a master’s degree at the Peabody. “It was basically a free ride to grad school to play music.”
Two years later, he had a graduate degree and a band—Mark G. Meadows & The Movement—and was playing regular gigs almost every night.
He met Claire Keane, an interior designer, while playing piano at the D.C. jazz club HR-57 (now closed). During a break, “they were playing, ‘L-O-V-E,’ the Nat King Cole tune, and I asked her if she wanted to dance,” he says. “We danced the night away. We are still having dance parties.”
Meadows proposed in November 2017 at D.C.’s Heurich House Museum, during a performance by the student vocal a capella jazz group the Mellow Tones, which he directed. The students sang, “Will you marry me?” as he got down on one knee.
He and Keane wed one year later at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where Meadows was a teacher. Today they have a son, Aiden, who is nearly 3.
Looking back on the behind-thescenes maneuvers that led to his breakout role as Jelly Roll Morton, he marvels at the chain of events that unfolded. The woman who books talent at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts called him to ask if it was true that he had turned down an audition at Signature. She asked what he wanted to do with his career. He said he wanted, among other things, to play at Dizzy’s Club, which hosts jazz music at Lincoln Center.
“She said, ‘If you audition, I’ll give you a week at Dizzy’s,’ ” Meadows recalls. “Long story short, I did the impossible. I learned an entire script as a lead role, I learned all the piano parts by heart, I sang all the songs, I learned how to act. I did probably one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do on a main stage in front of 200 people every single night.”
Playing Jelly Roll Morton—a visionary pianist, bandleader and famously egocentric composer who rose to fame during the Jazz Age—changed the trajectory of his creative life. “Since then, I’ve been immersed in the musical theater
community. Everything is new, everything’s a discovery. I enjoy the fearlessness that it requires,” says Meadows, who has since served as music director for Signature productions of Ain’t Misbehavin’ (for which he also played keys) and The Color Purple.
When Gardiner stepped into the role of artistic director in 2021, he created a new position—director of cabarets—and hired Meadows to fill it.
“It’s my favorite place to work,” Meadows says. “It’s a community. They really, really actually care about the artists and the arts. Matthew Gardiner is always pushing the boundaries, always challenging whoever he works with to create something new—and he welcomes newness. To me, doing anything that is expected is boring. I want to create new works, and that seems to
be the motto. Signature is reimagining what theater is.”
Case in point: The cabaret series. The musical revues are offered at a lower price point than other productions and feature familiar songs in the American canon, from Motown hits and jazz standards by Ella Fitzgerald to the pop tunes of Burt Bacharach. The shows have become an entry point for theater fans who never knew they were theater fans.
“They get here,” Gardiner says, “and they’re introduced to the miraculous talents of people like Mark.”
The cabarets are fun collaborations, adds powerhouse soprano Nova Y. Payton, who has known Meadows since childhood (they grew up in the same D.C. neighborhood and attended the same church). Her Signature cred-
its also include starring roles in Jelly’s Last Jam, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and The Color Purple
“With the band [Mark] put together, it’s almost like a party,” Payton says. “It’s a reimagined version of the songs we have grown up with.”
You could say Meadows has many of the same outsize talents as the real Jelly Roll Morton—minus the ego.
“I really enjoy collaborating and I really enjoy making other people shine,” he says. “We find a little more magic in all of them.” ■
Wendy Kantor kicked off her new year’s resolution to see more live theater by chaperoning a third-grade trip to the Kennedy Center in January. She can’t wait to see more musicals at Signature Theatre.
Our service. While our interest rates are quite competitive, our customer service is what sets us apart. From your first phone call until your final signature, our loan officers and processing team are fully accessible whenever needed, day or night, weekday or weekend. We also understand that mortgages should not be one-size-fits-all; that’s why we offer 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 officer with them every step of the way.
Arlington has one of the largest Mongolian populations in the U.S. Growing up, that was my community.
MY NAME IS Maral Gankhuyag. I was born in Mongolia, in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. My mom’s from Selenge, which is in the upper part of the country, by Russia. My dad is from the west, Bayankhongor—what comes to mind when you think about the Mongolian countryside, the steppes, the yurts.
I was 2 years old when we came to the U.S. We lived at River Place in Rosslyn and moved to Columbia Pike during my freshman year at Yorktown High School. My mom is a medical doctor. She was an ophthalmologist in Mongolia, but when we moved here, her license didn’t transfer, so she started school all over again. Now she’s working as a nurse supervisor.
My dad is an artist. He makes traditional Mongolian masks.
As kids, my brother and I went to Mongolian school every Saturday to study the language, history and culture. At the end of the day, they would have extracurriculars such as music lessons or traditional Mongolian wrestling. We did Mongolian traditional dance. Without that school, I don’t think we would have met other Mongolian kids. In public school we had our own friend groups.
I speak Mongolian with an Amer-
ican accent. I wouldn’t say I’m fluent, but I can communicate. When I am with other young Mongolians, we speak the language if we want to gossip in public, but we’re more comfortable with English.
When I was younger, my background was something I didn’t share with my peers. I wanted to fit in and assimilate. I wouldn’t invite anyone to our apartment because I thought, Oh, I don’t live in a big house. My house isn’t decorated the same. I was shy.
At Arlington Science Focus Elementary, I was put in a HILT (high-intensity language training) class. People assumed I didn’t know how to speak English—and I didn’t for a long time because my parents spoke Mongolian at home.
I’m not sure whether English was truly hard for me to pick up, or hard because people assumed I wasn’t good at it. I do know that English class gave me anxiety in middle school and high school. I had one English teacher who would always fail me on my essays. I really liked the creative aspect of writing, but the school system made me feel like I shouldn’t be in writing.
When we were kids, my dad would do flea markets or shows in New York.
We would take the Greyhound bus up. It was exciting. I really liked the city. I ended up going to college at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, earning an associate degree in fashion business management and a B.S. in advertising and marketing communications.
Outside of sketches and small projects for myself, I don’t do a lot of fashion design. I’ll sew skirts and shirts for myself and friends, or I’ll knit something, but I’m not interested in creating my own design brand right now. Maybe later I will.
I’m planning to stay in New York. I see a future here. It’s expensive, but you can walk to a gallery around the corner or take the subway just about anywhere. The lifestyle is very experience based. You can go do something different every hour.
I spent a year at home in Virginia during Covid. Arlington is changing. There are still a lot of families, but now I feel like I’m seeing more younger single people moving in, and not as many families in the apartments. My parents recently moved out to Manassas, to a big house on an acre of land. Their money goes a lot farther out there.
If I were to write my own story, my
first instinct would be to start with my family. I have a lot of pride in who I am. My parents are strong; they’re hustlers. My Mongolian family members are hardworking, humble, honest people. Mongolians pride themselves on being witty, quick on their feet and able to get things done.
As a teenager, I worked at the Mongolian school in Arlington for a little bit. Every time we had an issue, there was a solution. They’d be like, “Let’s do it.” Maybe we forgot a costume for a little girl who had to go onstage in five minutes. All the Mongolian ladies would come together, throw together some fabric, sew it all up and then boom—she’s onstage. Problem fixed. Mongolian people are very accepting, and they like to work together.
I remember a funny story. My dad manages a Mongolian band that tours sometimes. As a little girl, I was on tour with the band in Denmark. They had two humped camels there—Bactrian camels. The sponsors of the event told us the camels were from Mongolia. We had the morin khuur with us (a traditional Mongolian horsehead fiddle with two strings) and one of the musicians started playing it. The camels came running toward us and it seemed like they were listening. Then they started making noises that sounded like crying. Mongolian culture is so cool. You just feel it. It’s very intuitive.
When you hear the morin khuur played in a room full of Mongolian people, you get the sense that everyone feels something in their heart from it. ■
Maral Gankhuyag works in marketing and communications for BeautyMatter, a Manhattan-based media company covering the beauty industry. This essay was excerpted from an interview conducted in 2021 as part of the ongoing Columbia Pike Documentary Project, a collective portrait of Arlington’s most diverse corridor combining photography and oral histories. Launched in 2007, the documentary project has resulted in three published books and was prominently featured in the 2023 exhibit “A World in a Zip Code” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MoCA). The project is also in the permanent archive of the Library of Virginia. Visit cpdpcolum biapike.blogspot.com for more information. Lloyd Wolf is a longtime Arlington resident and photographer.
Trust is our objective: trust in the high quality of our gemstones and attention to detail, and trust with handling customers’ sentimental pieces of jewelry.
1320 Old Chain Bridge Road McLean, VA 22101 703-734-3997
www.booneandsons.com
Additional Locations: Chevy Chase, MD Washington, D.C.
In 1966, Boone & Sons Jewelers founder French Boone opened his first store in Washington D.C. with the goal of creating a family business that offers fine jewelry at great prices and even better customer service. In the decades and generations that followed, Boone & Sons expanded to Chevy Chase and McLean, all the while maintaining the small business and family atmosphere that sets them apart. Today, each of the three locations has a family member on-site and almost every employee has been there for a decade or more.
“Trust is our objective: trust in the high quality of our gemstones and attention to detail, and trust with handling customers’ sentimental pieces of jewelry,” says Vice
President and G.I.A. graduate gemologist Erik Boone, who manages the McLean store. “Whether it is an engagement ring you no longer wear or your grandmother’s jewelry that we are redesigning and repurposing, we treat every piece of jewelry as if it is our own.”
Boone and Sons is proud to handle every aspect of the jewelry business from on-site services, such as watch repair, jewelry repair and appraisals, to gifts ranging from several hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars.
“We want to be your personal jeweler, from A to Z,” says Erik, one of eight members of the third generation of Boones who are leading the company into the next 50 years of service in the D.C. area.
Although we see every project as an artistic opportunity, we believe form follows function.
3103 N. 10th St., Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22201
703-243-3171
info@trivistausa.com www.trivistausa.com
How have husband and wife team
Michael and Deborah Sauri of TriVistaUSA Design + Build managed to thrive for over twenty years in the competitive Arlington design/build market? “Bespoke solutions rooted in a deep expertise in resourceefficient building techniques, joined with an understanding of our sometimeschallenging zoning regulations—all while having fun,” says Michael. “Oh, and best of all, our primary focus: We do cool projects for cool people.”
The Sauri’s are pretty cool themselves. Both are artists—Michael is a musician, Deborah is a designer. This provides them with a distinct advantage in their competitive industry. “Every project is unique—we don’t do cookie cutter,” says Deborah. “Although we see every project as an artistic opportunity, we believe form follows function. Our entire team collaborates on our designs so that we
can create a custom-crafted solution that fits each of our client’s unique visions.”
Their reputation has grown alongside their award-winning business. Widely recognized for their expertise, the Sauri’s are soughtafter speakers at regional meetings and national conferences, and they are valued business advisors to other remodeling companies in the U.S. and Canada. Michael is president of the Professional Remodeling Organization (PRO) Mid Atlantic and TriVistaUSA Design + Build has recently been voted Best Remodeler for 2024 by Arlington Magazine’s readers.
What has changed for the Sauri’s over time? As Michael explains, “Now we are given much larger and more complex opportunities to create entire new spaces for clients.” What remains the same is the artistic approach Deborah and Michael bring to everything they build.
Miller & Smith’s design expertise gives homebuyers another advantage—the ability to move quickly.
www.millerandsmith.com
Miller & Smith celebrates 60 years with its Virginia sales team.
Visionary home design, quality craftsmanship, thoughtful customer service and commitment to community are the values that have endured the test of time for local homebuilder Miller & Smith—for 60 years and counting.
Miller & Smith’s legacy, building over 11,000 homes in the Washington region, is one of the primary reasons active adult buyers are drawn to two of the builder’s 55+ communities, Birchwood at Brambleton in Ashburn, Virginia; and Cascades at Embrey Mill in Stafford, Virginia. Miller & Smith is currently selling Elevator Brownstones, Courtyard Homes and Elevator Single Family Homes in Birchwood as well as Villa Homes at Embrey Mill.
“Buying a home is a leap of faith,” says Eric Hansen, Miller & Smith’s
Birchwood sales manager. “For many of my homebuyers, this may be the final new home they purchase. So not only do they want everything to be just right, they want to work with a builder they can trust. Knowing Miller & Smith has been delighting homebuyers for six decades gives them the confidence to move forward.”
Miller & Smith’s design expertise gives homebuyers another advantage—the ability to move quickly. “We have homes available for quick delivery in both of our 55+ communities,” added Debora Flora, sales manager at Cascades at Embrey Mill. “The selections have been curated by our award-winning design team, so not only are the homes ready, they’re stunning.”
I find the most satisfaction in helping patients with intricate issues, many of which I have also experienced.
4850 31st St. South, Suite A Arlington, VA 22206 703-671-1001
www.fairlingtondental.com
“Dental health isn’t confined to aesthetics,” says Dr. Michael Rogers. “It’s deeply connected to overall wellness, with periodontal health as the foundation.” Prioritizing periodontal health ensures that his patients not only smile confidently but also enjoy vitality throughout their body. He designs solutions that align with each patient’s history, needs and goals.
Rogers graduated with honors from Harvard and attended dental school at UCLA. Prepared for anything that could be presented to him, he has had training in oral surgery, plastic surgery, anesthesiology and emergency medicine.
In his tireless pursuit of evolving dental knowledge, Rogers keeps current with emerging technologies and techniques to ensure he can provide his patients with the best options for cosmetic dentistry, implants, sleep apnea, orthodontics, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and safe amalgam replacement.
In private practice in Northern Virginia for more than 30 years, his interest in dentistry—and his empathy—developed at an early age when a childhood illness left him with weak tooth enamel and staining from antibiotics.
“I find the most satisfaction in helping patients with intricate issues, many of which I have also experienced,” says Dr. Rogers. “I have twice been treated with orthodontics, have had TMJ treatments and cosmetic dentistry, and have worn an oral device for sleep apnea. I can relate.”
During his TMJ residency, he made an appliance for himself, and as a side benefit it alleviated his back pain. “It unraveled the intricate tapestry of interconnected bodily health for me,” says Rogers, “giving me the understanding that a seemingly isolated dental issue could echo through the body.”
The goal of the school, founded in 1969, is to foster well-rounded individuals who forge their own path for purposeful engagement in the world.
4800 Sangamore Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-6107
www.washingtonwaldorf.org
Enter any classroom at the Washington Waldorf School (WWS) and you will find an environment that encourages active engagement tailored for the developmental stage of the students, preschool to Grade 12.
In high school, classes are discussionbased with a feeling of belonging and equal participation. In younger grades, classrooms are filled with meaningful objects and art that enhance lessons. Early childhood classrooms have delightful wooden and natural fiber toys that foster imagination and creative play.
You won’t see much digital technology outside the offices and high school tech lab, but the school isn’t “no-tech,” just “slow-tech.” What does that mean? WWS uses no digital tech in the classroom before Grade 6 and then only with thoughtful intention. They want their
students to develop capacities like selfknowledge, empathy, critical thinking and clear expression independent of current tech trends. Those who shape future technologies need a broad perspective. Waldorf graduates are well represented in tech and media, where their creativity is highly valued. As advised by the Surgeon General, limits on digital technology also support kids’ social-emotional and mental health. The school community is engaged with this critical issue and offers education and suggested guidelines for families.
WWS graduates go on to top colleges having experienced hands-on science labs, math studies that ask why (not just how), college-style seminar classes, competitive sports, multiple artistic mediums and much more. The goal of the school, founded in 1969, is to foster well-rounded individuals who forge their own path for purposeful engagement in the world.
Falcons Landing opened in 1996 and was everything the founders dreamed it would be and, 28 years later, it exceeds their vision.
20522 Falcons Landing Circle Potomac Falls, VA 20165
703-223-8491
info@falconslanding.org www.falconslanding.org
Like many great endeavors, Falcons Landing started as a dream. Several retired officers who met regularly at Andrews Air Force Base had an idea: the D.C. area should have a military retirement community. Falcons Landing opened in 1996 and was everything the founders dreamed it would be and, 28 years later, it exceeds their vision.
Falcons Landing is an upscale, CARF accredited, not-for-profit retirement community. Independent living is open to those who have served in the military or government for at least four years. It is home to the following levels of care as well: short-term and long-term nursing care, assisted living, and memory care. Entrance to assisted living, nursing and memory care is open to anyone; no military or government background is required.
Falcons Landing has been Voted Best Retirement Community in the Northern
Region as well as the Best of Loudoun County over the years. In 2023, they added to their accolades with Best Independent Living & Best Continuing Care Retirement Community by U.S. News & World Report, along with being recognized among America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024 in the Newsweek and Statista report. The Johnson Center at Falcons Landing continues to be recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation.
Along with world-class dining, there’s a full calendar of social events and activities, wellness opportunities and lifelong learning classes. Residential options include cottages with one and two-car garages, traditional apartments, and Terrace Home apartments that feature open concept floor plans and corner terraces.
They use advanced technology to deliver a more comfortable experience and more precise diagnoses.
1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 103 Arlington, VA 22209 703-528-3336
www.rosslyndentist.com
For more than five decades, dentists Louis J. LaVecchia, DDS and his son Greg L. LaVecchia, DMD have served Arlington families with comprehensive dentistry. After Louis LaVecchia completed a tour of duty in the Vietnam War he returned to Arlington in 1971 to open his private dental practice. At that time, he was also offered an appointment to the full-time faculty at Georgetown University in the Department of Operative Dentistry where he taught from 1970 to 1990. Now retired, many of the dentists in the area will say that they learned everything they know from Dr. Louis LaVecchia.
This certainly includes his son Greg who graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry, one of this country’s oldest dental programs. It has a longstanding tradition of
comprehensive curricula that includes both academic and clinical training.
Greg and his experienced team continue the legacy of his father’s dental excellence with a belief that exceptional dental care happens when old-fashioned service meets modern technology. They offer comprehensive dentistry, including general, cosmetic, periodontal and implant dentistry. As providers of Invisalign Clear Aligners and CEREC same day crowns, they use advanced technology to deliver a more comfortable experience and more precise diagnoses.
“We treat every patient as though they are part of our own family,” he says, “with care, respect and kindness. And we are proud that our staff has been with us for many years.”
Coming soon: Café Levantine
6829 Elm St. McLean, VA 22101 703-821-8600
jeanpaul@dolcevitasalon.com www.dolcevitasalon.com
Dolce Vita Salon & Spa was founded in 2003. Jean Paul Achour, CEO, was determined to have a high-end, modern, trendy salon but with a comfortable cozy atmosphere and no attitude. Services and products would be appropriately priced. One of his main priorities was training and encouraging young stylists to grow and succeed. As a result of his vision coming to life, this successful salon still has clients from its inception, their kids and grandkids, and new neighbors, fueled by personal referrals and word of mouth.
With its popularity came growth, and a significant investment in equipment and space. Dolce Vita has been remodeled three times. They expanded and relocated the spa to a 1,500 square foot space on the second floor and will be opening a
special café, the Mediterranean-Lebanese Café Levantine, in the spring.
At the helm of the café will be Fatima Farran, Jean Paul’s wife, who became co-owner and COO of Dolce Vita Salon & Spa in 2015. “There’s been tremendous growth under her guidance,” says Jean Paul. “Fatima helped us navigate and survive the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“There’s nothing like our café in the area,” says Fatima. “We’re excited to bring a taste of the Levant to Mclean. The café will serve delectable coffee drinks of all sorts, light vegetarian fare, and exclusive sweets and treats. Everything on the menu will be prepared in house with fresh ingredients. The decor is modern Mediterranean, and all of our furniture and ceramic wear was custom made for us in Türkiye.”
The organization provides critical services that enhance, grow and maintain the community through a public/private partnership with Arlington County.
1911 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite LL-10 Arlington, VA 22209 703-522-6628
www.RosslynVA.org
Rosslyn is a lively urban neighborhood in the heart of Arlington, Virginia, that has evolved from a successful commercial district of nationally recognized companies to a vibrant, mixed-use community with residences, amenities and activities that appeal to millennials, young families and empty nesters.
At the helm of this evolving neighborhood, you’ll find the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID), a place management organization funded by a special tax paid by property owners within its 17-block boundaries. The organization provides critical services that enhance, grow and maintain the community through a public/private partnership with Arlington County. As the first BID in the county, it celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.
The BID’s core programs include beautification, safety, cleaning, maintenance, social services and hospitality, led by a personable ambassador crew. In addition, the team provides community events, economic
development, marketing and promotion, and placemaking. These services help ensure a high quality of life for the 20,000+ employees, 11,000+ residents and 1.2 million annual visitors who live, work and do business in Rosslyn.
The Rosslyn BID takes an active role as a convener and agent of positive change by building and leveraging collaborative relationships with property owners, businesses, residents and retailers—all to improve the neighborhood.
Its team is a group of place management professionals, nationally recognized as leaders in their industry. They have produced numerous large-scale, high-quality initiatives, including an innovative and effective pandemic response, award-winning creative adaptations of community spaces, highly engaging marketing campaigns, tailored residential programming and influential business development efforts.
I love helping my patients get their lives back.
2841 Hartland Road, Suite 301 Falls Church, VA 22043 703-821-1103
office@sleepandtmjtherapy.com
www.sleepandtmjtherapy
Getting to the root of jaw discomfort and sleeping problems is Dr. Jeffrey Brown’s calling. His practice, Sleep & TMJ Therapy, uses non-surgical strategies to help with craniofacial pain, TMJ and sleep-related problems.
“I love helping my patients get their lives back,” says Dr. Brown. “Chronic pain can drastically affect one’s personality and quality of life. Every day, we meet new patients who feel hopeless, have been in pain for years and have seen doctor after doctor but are still searching for answers. Our work transforms patients’ lives by providing solutions for long-term pain from slipped discs in the jaw joint and cranial distortions.”
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, known as TMJ or TMD, is an internal imbalance of the jaw joints caused by the disc not being in the correct anatomical place. This may create discomfort throughout the body, including popping, clicking, limited mouth opening, ringing in the ears, headaches, and even neck and back pain. Dr. Brown and his team treat these conditions using appliance therapy that takes the pressure off joints and allows discs to return to the correct place, leveling the cranium and achieving internal balance and symmetry.
For sleep issues, Dr. Brown uses customized dental appliances that promote healthier breathing by supporting the jaw and opening the airway. This reduces symptoms such as snoring, interrupted breathing, fatigue, irritability and headaches.
A graduate of the Georgetown Dental School and a Fellow of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, Dr. Brown is a sought-after international speaker for TMD and sleep apnea therapies.
A straight talking realist, Reese does not waste time or client funds.
New address effective March 1st : 12150 Monument Drive, Suite 225 Fairfax, VA 22033 703-279-5140
www.reeselawoffice.com
Referred to affectionately by clients as their backbone or champion, Kate Reese has been honing her skills and her passion for helping families navigate the legal system for over 25 years. A straight talking realist, Reese does not waste time or client funds. Initial consultations are used to set expectations, educating potential clients about the pros and cons of their options.
More often than not, Reese and her team guide clients toward collaborative divorce and mediation, with court as a last resort. “It does not serve anyone to give away their autonomy, putting their life, finances and children in the hands of someone who does not know them,” she says. “People are more likely to abide by an agreement they make themselves.”
To keep fees down and the process moving along, Reese views each case
holistically, calling on expert resources such as financial and mental health professionals. She is a Virginia Supreme Court certified family law mediator and has extensive training and experience in collaborative law. She also has a Master’s in clinical mental health counseling. While she doesn’t serve as a therapist, her education has been invaluable in emotional, high stakes cases, and any case where understanding people’s intentions and priorities are relevant.
Reese believes the best outcomes give children a chance for a peaceful childhood with two healthy parents. No child should lose a parent because an adult relationship doesn’t work out. She helps clients become more conscientious parents, co-parents and former spouses. Their children tie them together for life. Why not take the strife out of their future?
Now for the first time and in response to market demand, the board of directors of this non-profit community has lifted the military and government eligibility requirement for independent living.
6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 703-536-4344 www.vinsonhall.org
Trends come and go, but there are certain things that are built to last. Vinson Hall Retirement Community is one of those.
For 54 years, this senior residential community in McLean has been a local legend, home to generations of military and government leaders and their families who served our nation. Since opening its doors, Vinson Hall has drawn remarkable, accomplished people to its campus, and that remains unchanged.
At the same time, VHRC’s ability to adapt and embrace change is one of the reasons the community has endured. What began as a residence exclusively for widows of naval officers gradually expanded to welcome ever-wider circles, opening up over time to every branch of the military and all government agencies in independent living, and to individuals with no military or government
background in our assisted living and memory care communities.
This year, VHRC’s eligibility requirements have once again shifted. Now for the first time and in response to market demand, the board of directors of this non-profit community has lifted the military and government eligibility requirement for independent living.
“Up until now, we often had to turn away people in the local community who didn’t have a military or government background, so we are excited to be able to serve them,” said Stephanie Lawrence, Senior Director of Marketing. “Our residents are also thrilled that friends who didn’t qualify before will now be able to join them.”
Vinson Hall’s secret to standing the test of time? Celebrating the legacy that makes the community unique—and embracing change.
No matter how much things change, people want to work with someone who listens to them, who is knowledgeable and who knows how to get things done.
4600 Cherry Hill Road Arlington, VA 22207
Cell: 202-549-0081
Office: 703-522-0500
john.mentis@longandfoster.com www.johnmentis.com
John Mentis, of Long & Foster Real Estate in Arlington, was attracted to real estate because he saw that the rewards would be commensurate with the effort he put in. He could set his own schedule, and there would be a constant demand for buying and selling property. He celebrates 20 years in the industry this year, and approximately 550 successful transactions.
“I find that the amount of effort I put into my work today is greater and more intense than when I started,” he says. “Today’s consumers have more real estate knowledge, and the market has become more competitive. Control over my schedule has gotten more challenging with advances in technology that allow us to be in touch anywhere, anytime.”
No matter how much things change, people want to work with someone who listens to them, who is knowledgeable and who knows how to get things done. Mentis considers real estate to be like any small business, in which success comes from delivering great service in any type of market so that clients keep coming back. His clients and other agents feel so strongly about his expertise and manner that over 90% of his annual business is from repeat clients and their referrals.
“The greatest satisfaction I get from being in this business,” he says, “is helping clients shift their mindset from doubt to confidence, seeing the proverbial light bulb go off as they realize they can achieve their goals with my help.”
I believe the first step in making our world better is to start with making our communities better.
6842 Elm St., Suite 101 McLean, VA 22101
Office: 703-827-0377
Cell: 703-283-3404
www.lynnheinrichs.com
Lynn Heinrichs opened her State Farm Insurance Agency on Elm Street in McLean on January 1, 2000. Owning a business was a new experience, but insurance was not. She had been working for a State Farm Agent in Falls Church since 1986.
“I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up,” Lynn says, but from the age of 12 she had a love for business that came from working in her Mississippi grandfather’s gas station and fruit stand.
The State Farm agent that hired her was a friend of a friend. “My impression of the insurance industry was that it was boring,” she says, “but this experience was a surprise. Never in a million years would I have guessed how fascinating and rewarding insurance could be.”
When she joined the Rotary Club of McLean in 2010, Lynn discovered one particular benefit of owning a business: being able to give back to the community. The Rotary Club participates in celebratory community events, supports food drives, donates books and participates in an elementary school reading program. They have a quarterly blood drive and help the Salvation Army with their Red Kettle campaign every December. From fund-raising activities, grants are provided to local charities and local non-profits.
“I believe the first step in making our world better is to start with making our communities better,” Lynn says. “I thank my customers and my Rotary club for giving me the opportunity to make a difference.”
“We always put the customer first. Whether they hire us or not, we aim to help homeowners make informed decisions about their homes.”
2985 Prosperity Ave.
Fairfax, VA 22031 703-573-8000
www.pondroofing.com
This year Pond Roofing Company celebrates its remarkable 60-year journey, a testament to our enduring commitment to quality and customer satisfaction in Northern Virginia. The company was founded in 1964 by Bob Pond, a World War II veteran whose dedication to excellence set the foundation for decades of success.
In 2000, the reins passed to Bob’s daughter, Betsy, who navigated the challenges of the new century with resilience and determination. In 2010, Pat Readyhough merged his roofing business with Pond Roofing Company through a handshake agreement. Betsy and Pat devised a plan for him to assist with management, leading to his ownership two years later.
As Pond Roofing marks its 60th anniversary, Readyhough reflects on a decade of successful leadership. The company specializes in exterior home remodeling, offering services such as roofing repair and
Readyhough emphasizes a customercentric approach, stating, “We always put the customer first. Whether they hire us or not, we aim to help homeowners make informed decisions about their homes.” As a result, returning customers and referrals make up over 60% of their annual revenue.
With nearly three decades in the home improvement industry, Readyhough’s commitment extends beyond business success. He prioritizes improving customers’ lives and creating opportunities for his team, some of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years.
Pond Roofing Company honors its founders’ legacy with the ongoing dedication of its current leadership, embodying a tradition of the highest quality workmanship with outstanding customer service.
Frequent, interactive client reviews include a portfolio manager and financial planner who work cohesively to meet the client’s objectives.
1950 Opportunity Way, Suite 950 Reston, VA 20190 571-430-7200
thewiseinvestorgroup@raymondjames.com www.raymondjames.com/thewiseinvestorgroup/
Simon started his own financial advisory practice straight out of college. Over time, he recognized he would benefit from being part of a team, working with people with different skill sets and perspectives. He soon learned that communication and consistent messaging makes for better-informed, wise investors.
Members of The Wise Investor Group®, of which Hamilton is one of three managing directors, have consistently been recognized as some of the nation’s top advisors by Barron’s, Forbes and more. In the last 30 years, they have guided clients through ups and downs. They advise clients to pay less attention to short-term economic and political disruptions and stay tethered to their longterm plans and goals.
Believing strongly in the marriage of portfolio management and financial planning, every investment decision is made in the context of a written, well-articulated strategy that aims to relieve financial stress and plan for the future.
“We are also doing a lot of video conferencing with clients to stay connected in these trying times,” says Hamilton. These frequent, interactive client reviews include a portfolio manager and financial planner who work cohesively to meet the client’s objectives.
For more than 25 years, the group has hosted the Wise Investor Show®, which is a podcast devoted to financial education. “It’s always been, and will continue to be, a resource that offers education and advice about financial planning, asset management, investment analysis and insurance,” says Hamilton.
The Montessori School of McLean provides an exceptional foundation to students during the most important years in their educational journeys by focusing on the whole child.
1711 Kirby Road
McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049
www.mcleanmontessori.org
The Montessori School of McLean (MSM) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this school year. In 1973, MSM opened its doors with one elementary and one primary classroom. Fifty years later, MSM is one of the leading independent schools in the Washington, D.C. area. Today, they proudly educate over 200 students ages 2-12 across eleven classrooms. Set in bucolic McLean, MSM enjoys an expansive campus with ample green space and light-filled classrooms. Augmenting the Montessori philosophy, students participate in enrichments including Spanish, Art, Outdoor Classroom, Science, Technology, Library, Music, Drama and P.E.
In 2023, there were two key achievements: the long-term goal of purchasing the entire four-acre campus at 1711 Kirby Road and the opening of a Montessori teacher training program, the
Montessori Institute of McLean (MIM). Located on campus, MIM is the only Montessori teacher training program in Northern Virginia. It welcomed its first cohort of adult learners in June 2023.
In the upcoming years, MSM will grow its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) curriculum as they unveil the Martlet Center for the Arts and Science. This upgraded space will expand the existing STEAM offerings and create a designated space for performances and community gatherings.
The Montessori School of McLean provides an exceptional foundation to students during the most important years in their educational journeys by focusing on the whole child. This empowers students to learn and grow at their own pace, preparing them to be kind, confident leaders of tomorrow.
Climate change is intensifying heat waves, severe storms and floods. Here are some ways to safeguard your home against the elements.
by Allison R. Shely
About a decade ago, Bob Olson and his late wife, Marjorie, began renovating their 1925 Arlington home with a series of upgrades focused on energy efficiency. Today the house is equipped with solar panels, an electric heat pump and airtight insulation that protects it from leaks and drafts.
But it’s the obvious stormproofing measures—including new storm windows and a sump pump—that have really proven their worth of late. Olson says the sump pump (average cost about $1,500) kept his basement dry last summer when severe storms left many of his neighbors’ lower levels flooded.
It’s not your imagination: The weather is getting worse. The year 2023, now confirmed to be the planet’s hottest on record, brought scorching heat, severe windstorms and floods to our area. The threats have been ramping up for some time. Most of us recall the summer of 2019 when a sudden deluge triggered flash floods that caused millions in damages to local businesses and homes.
While it’s difficult to attribute any single weather event to global warming, scientists agree that climate change is responsible for the overall increase in extremes.
Northern Virginia ranks relatively low on FEMA’s National Risk Index, but it does face “moderate” risks from natural phenomena. Tropical storms, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and derechos can smash windows, lift roofs and damage exteriors. Water damage from flooding can destroy furniture, electronics and other valuable items, and render a house uninhabitable due to mold. Extreme heat can warp or blister a variety of building materials, wear out the mechanical components of HVAC systems and drive up electricity bills—if the grid does not fail under the weight of demand.
Builder Andrew Moore of Arlington Designer Homes says he’s surprised not to see more homeowners taking preemptive actions to avoid such disasters. They’re more likely to call in a crisis, such as a flooded basement. “I’m sure there’s proactive people out there,” says Moore, whose custom homes and remodels have won green building awards in Arlington and Falls Church, “but in general I don’t know that people are planning for [the long term].”
That may change as weather events once characterized as “100-year storms” happen with greater frequen-
cy. Demetra McBride, Arlington’s director of sustainability and environmental management, says the county is developing new guidelines for flood-resilient design and construction of residential and commercial properties.
At press time, Arlington was preparing to release a Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) that uses
new models in place of outdated historical weather data to give homeowners and developers a more accurate picture of a property’s vulnerabilities.
Six Arlington watersheds—Spout Run, Torreyson Run, Westover Branch, Lubber Run, Crossman Run and Baileys Branch (West Columbia Pike)—have been identified as critically in need of
Flooding on North Dickerson Street in Arlington in July 2019
municipal improvements to prevent flooding. McBride describes risk assessment as the cost of inaction, both financial and physical.
It’s the cost of “business as usual,” she says. “When you start looking at 2070, the annualized loss in one of those targeted watersheds for a 100year storm is in the neighborhood of $800 million.”
That massive price tag puts the cost of near-term investments in perspective. The county’s Capital Improvement Plan for 2023-2032 recommends roughly $229 million in spending for 16 watershed remediation projects across Arlington.
Homeowners, meanwhile, must consider their own risk tolerance. Custom homebuilder Ned Malik, president of the Green Building Group in McLean, says water remediation solutions to prevent flooding are now standard protocol for new builds and remodels that involve exterior site work (local governments in Northern Virginia require them). Stormwater management is a key piece in what the building industry refers to as “climate resilient” design.
Many home improvements long touted as “green” or energy-saving also have weatherproofing advantages. Patty Shields, founder of the Falls Church homebuilding company Metro Green, says more homes and additions are incorporating engineered wall systems that combine sheathing with a built-in vapor barrier to keep moisture and extreme temperatures out.
“Improving the way the building envelope is constructed [is fundamental to] maximizing the building’s efficiency in a hotter climate,” Shields says. “People don’t realize how much heat itself can affect the sustainability and longevity of a building.”
IF THERE IS a poster home for climate readiness in Arlington, it may well belong to Ashton Heights resident Scott Sklar. From the street, there is little to distinguish his house—a 1920s Sears
Making a home more climate resilient isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. Even small, low-cost improvements can have big impacts over time.
Permeable pavers, rain gardens featuring native plants with deep root systems and underground drainage solutions can reduce runoff and guard against flooding from severe storms. Rain barrels, which collect and store excess water during heavy downpours, are an inexpensive option, and the water that’s harvested can be reused later for yard irrigation.
Leaks that allow water into wall cavities can cause mold and structural damage. A house that isn’t well sealed is also harder and more expensive to heat and cool. If you’re remodeling or putting an addition on your house, it’s a good time to upgrade to high-performance spray-foam insulation, which seals cavities more effectively than fiberglass. A sump pump with a battery-powered backup system can keep a basement below the water table dry during heavy storms. To avoid costly repairs, consider investing in a leak-detection system that provides alerts of potential water damage.
To reduce stress on mechanical heating and cooling systems, install a smart thermostat that regulates energy use, and ceiling fans to keep interior spaces comfortable. In winter, the rotation of the fan blades can be reversed to push warm air (which rises) back down into the room. Operable windows and vents positioned to promote cross-breezes will further reduce the load on HVAC systems. Light-colored exterior paint reduces heat gain inside the home, whereas darker paint colors will absorb more heat from the sun.
Reinforced roofing systems and storm-resistant windows and doors can withstand high winds, heavy snowfall and flying debris. Built-in storm shutters provide another layer of protection in severe storms.
Alternative power sources such as solar panels, wind turbines and battery-operated generators can keep major appliances running during a systemwide power outage—and potentially save you from losing an entire freezer full of food. Learn more about a solar coop program available to DMV residents at solarswitch. com/en/capitalarea
kit bungalow, to which he added a second story in 1990—from its neighbors, save for the flock of lawn flamingos the neighborhood kids have named.
But a closer inspection (Sklar is happy to play tour guide) reveals a bevy of climate-resilient features. Photovoltaic (solar) panels on multiple exterior surfaces generate electricity independent of the power grid. A solar water heater that sits flush against the roof uses the sun’s energy to passively heat water stored in a 100-gallon tank for faucets and showers.
Sklar, a 50-year veteran of the clean energy industry who has helmed trade associations advocating solar and bio energy, is also founder of The Stella Group, a global clean energy consulting firm. So it tracks that his own property is a model of sustainability.
Behind the house, a detached twostory office built in 1995 is equipped with a small rooftop wind turbine that generates about 6 kilowatt hours of electricity per day. A hydrogen fuel cell about half the size of a standard refrigerator provides auxiliary electric power, helping to keep the office’s battery bank charged during the summer months.
Inconspicuously buried in the yard, the pipes of a geothermal heat pump system use a circulating refrigerant to transfer thermal energy from 100 feet underground (where the earth’s temperature is a constant 55 degrees) to help heat the house in winter and cool it in summer. As a result, the home’s HVAC system isn’t heavily taxed when outside conditions are sweltering or frigid. Sklar says the setup uses 67% less electricity than a standard HVAC system.
During power outages, Sklar’s house is a lifeboat where neighbors go to charge their cell phones and keep certain medications refrigerated. He says he hasn’t lost power since 1985.
Backup power supplies could become more important down the road as weather patterns become more extreme. A prolonged loss of power following a disaster can be life-threaten-
ing, as was the case when Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017. While only a few dozen people died during the storm, the island-wide blackout in its aftermath resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, many from heatrelated illnesses or lack of clean water.
A Texas cold snap that caused widespread power outages in 2021 left hundreds dead, many from hypothermia.
FOR BOB OLSON, who lives just a couple doors down from Sklar, climateminded home improvements were a no-brainer.
“They are spherically correct,” he says. “It makes sense from every point of view—whether you’re talking about saving money or saving the planet.”
Still, Olson acknowledges that many green upgrades require a substantial initial investment (in his case, in the “upper tens of thousands”) without an immediate payoff. It can take years before the savings associated with, say, solar panels, catch up with the cost of financing and installing them. The homeowner has to be committed to staying in the home, or confident they can recoup the costs of the improvements when they sell.
These days, Olson says his electric bill is mostly just service fees. Electricity generated by solar panels powers the house, and any surplus is sold back to the grid. The panels are expected to op-
erate for years to come, but it took the better part of a decade before they paid for themselves.
Sklar says the rooftop solar water heater he installed in 1985 cost about $2,300. Now it is nearly maintenance free and yields annual utility savings of about $240. It’s a long game.
And yet, there may also be a cost to doing nothing. As weather events intensify and more homes are at risk of irreparable damage, Shields of Metro Green urges homeowners to think broadly about the bigger picture.
“The return on investment is not always just a dollars-and-cents-thing,” she says. “You are promoting the longevity of the building you are in…how much longer your building will sustain itself in the face of climate change.”
Ken Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have been making incremental improvements to their home near Virginia Square ever since they bought it in 1990. They’ve installed solar panels and enhanced their landscaping with native plants, which have deeper root systems than grass and help to absorb excess water during heavy downpours. Hughes aims to rewild the entire yard, turning it into a meadow rather than a lawn.
His motivations aren’t just aesthetic. Arlington homeowners who invest in native plants and other kinds of conservation landscaping can now qualify for credits of 5-10% (depending on the
upgrade) toward the stormwater utility fee the county introduced this year. As some 42% of Arlington County’s surface area is impermeable, the program incentivizes homeowners to create more porous surfaces (via permeable pavers, rain gardens, French drains and the like) on their properties to reduce runoff and mitigate flood risk.
Weatherwise, “the familiar is now unfamiliar,” says Anna Weber, a senior policy analyst in the Natural Resources Defense Council’s D.C. office. As so-called acts of God become more frequent, inaction has become a game of roulette. In the long term, homes designed for climate resiliency may be deemed more insurable, resulting in lower premiums and greater financial stability for their owners.
For those who feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all, Hughes recommends an incremental, “always learning” mentality.
“Always learning is critical,” he says. “People hesitant to make changes can start slow and small. If plants and trees in your garden die, replace them with native plants. Or introduce one or two native plants each year.”
The same applies to reinforcing your home’s climate resilience. When that rusty old conventional water heater reaches the end of its lifespan, consider replacing it with a tankless or solar water heater, or a hybrid heat pump. Need new windows? Tack on some storm shutters while you’re at it.
Hughes, for one, is doing what he can for the planet, within his means. “I can afford my solar panels now,” he says, “but it’s going to take a few years for me to able to afford to purchase an electric car. Other people are in the same position.”
But before that next flash flood arrives, you might want to fork over $1,500 for a sump pump in the basement. ■
Allison R. Shely writes about power, faith and art at allisonrshely.substack.com. For more tips on greening your home, visit arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/ Sustainability-and-Environment/AIRE
A new owner makes peace with his home’s long and complicated past.
BY KIM O’CONNELLPHOTOS BY
MICHAEL VENTURA
Ablack-and-white print hanging on the wall of Larry Chattoo’s spacious kitchen features some instantly recognizable song lyrics: I said a hip, hop, the hippie the hippie to the hip hip-hop and you don’t stop… These are the iconic first words of “Rapper’s Delight,” the 1979 hit by the Sugarhill Gang that first introduced hip-hop to the mainstream.
Across the room, on a bar stocked with a well-curated collection of bourbons, two stern 19th-century portraits of a white man and woman are displayed alongside coasters depicting
icons such as Prince and Snoop Dogg. The photos are of the home’s original owners, George Washington Veitch and his wife, Margaret Birch. They seem at odds with the rest of the décor—especially when one learns that Veitch was a Confederate officer during the Civil War. He built the two-story farmhouse in 1865, the year the war ended.
Acknowledging this history is all part of how Chattoo has made peace with the ghosts of the Arlington house he bought in April 2023.
During the Civil War, Veitch was court-martialed for public drunkenness,
so Chattoo thought it only fitting to acknowledge George and Margaret at the bar. He keeps a sense of humor about the twists of fate that brought them all to this place at different points in time. Chattoo was born in Trinidad and Tobago, immigrated to Brooklyn as a child and eventually joined the Marines, serving in the Persian Gulf and in Okinawa, Japan. After five years of mili-
tary service, he went to college (William & Mary) and then law school (University of Southern California) and became a practicing lawyer. He is now a longtime executive with Bank of America. On the side, he performs as a DJ for festivals and special events.
“When I come in and I pour myself a drink, I kind of raise a toast to George,” he says. “I’m like, ‘George, history has
brought us together at this moment. I’m sure you never would have imagined that I would own your house. And I’m going to do my best to preserve it.’ ”
The Veitch-Thomas house, as it is often called, is one of the oldest extant dwellings in Arlington. Margaret Birch Veitch was the great-granddaughter of Samuel Shreve, a Revolutionary War officer. At one time the Shreve, Birch
and Veitch families owned a significant amount of land in what is now the Bluemont neighborhood near Ballston. Their holdings included several residences, but Chattoo’s clapboard farmhouse on North Jefferson Street is the only one that remains.
Its enduring presence is something of a miracle, given how much Arlington’s landscape has evolved over time.
George and Margaret’s daughter Julia married Judge Harry Randolph Thomas, and Julia is notable for founding Arlington’s first Girl Scout chapter.
would be demolished and the large lot subdivided.
That’s when Chattoo’s good friend Carrie Hartgen purchased the derelict home and began significant renovations to make it livable for her family. “It was like an unkempt frat house, with paneling on every wall, red shag carpeting and a groovy 1960s kitchen infested with mice,” Hartgen recalls. “There was just something that I saw in it.”
In the years that followed, the house was at the center of a tight-knit group of Bluemont families that included Hartgen, her two daughters and her fiancé, Chris Laughlin (himself a descendent of a Union officer), and Chattoo, who lived down the street with his kids.
But once her girls were grown, Hartgen laid plans to move with Laughlin to South Carolina. It was a good time to sell, she says, and Chattoo was the right buyer. His marriage had ended and he was house hunting.
“Larry was a beloved member of the neighborhood,” Hartgen says. “I knew he’d be a good caretaker.”
Chattoo worked closely with Arlington designer Samara Goodman to furnish the interiors with nods to Black history and the house’s storied past, as well as his own background and interests.
The front room, located in the oldest section of the house, has the most period touches; however, they are designed in a way that subverts the parlor’s Confederate legacy. A stenciled ceiling motif by Arlington artist Pam Nemfakos mimics the star from the official Juneteenth flag. A throw pillow is upholstered in “Harlem Toile,” a pattern by New York designer Sheila Bridges that reimagines the narrative of the French Romantic period by depicting Black people in aristocratic garb, frolicking in pastoral settings.
The bold, graphic pattern in blackand-white drapery references Chattoo’s affinity for graffiti art—the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, specifically. Two Victorianstyle chairs, reupholstered in a modern bright yellow, pop against a vinyl checkerboard reproduction of a 19th-
century floor cloth. A sock on one chair leg honors Gabriel Perez, the Arlington furniture dealer Goodman worked with to source the chairs, who is known to put socks over chair legs to protect them upon delivery. Perez is part of the LGBTQ+ community and a Mexican immigrant. Chattoo wanted his story to be part of the house, too.
The rocks of the original foundation are still visible in the basement. Whenever he descends the stairs with
Black friends to share this aspect of the home’s history, Chattoo says they instinctively touch the boulders, knowing who often carried the rocks and laid the foundations in 19th-century Virginia.
“So, we have this moment,” he says. “It means a lot for them to be like, ‘And now you own this house.’ ” ■
Kim O’Connell writes about the past and present from her circa-1942 home in Aurora Highlands.
THE PROJECT
Renovated in: 2008 and 2023
Year Built: 1865
Neighborhood: Bluemont
Square Footage: 2,213
Interior Designer:
Samara Goodman
Samara Interiors samarainteriors.com
The kitchen mixes sleek appliances with period details, such as crown molding and a farm table made from rafters that were salvaged during the most recent renovation.
Broadview is not the oldest home in Arlington, but it is a prominent landmark. The house is one of the county’s best remaining examples of Queen Annestyle architecture from the late-19th century, according to the Arlington Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB), and is one of only four such homes to have a tower. What’s more, the entire house is its own local historic district.
BY NIGEL F. MAYNARD PHOTOS BY MICHAEL VENTURAIt’s an impressive residence, but it was far from perfect when Ginger Brown and her husband, Ken, bought the property in 2016.
Built in 1881 by Robert Stinson Lacey, a decorated Union captain during the Civil War, Broad-
view began as a modest house sited on 200 acres (today it occupies a third of an acre). Upon Lacey’s death, his daughter converted it into a boardinghouse.
A subsequent series of alterations over time left it with awkward spaces and historically inappropriate details, including a second tower that did not fit the original architectural style.
“It has an interesting history in that it has been added on to over time,” says Brown, executive director of the nonprofit Langston Boulevard Alliance, a local citizens’ initiative. Not all of those evolutions were good. “There were crappy additions added onto it in the 1920s and ’30s,” she says.
By the 1970s, the structure was pretty dilapidated. A new owner made repairs and even more modifications that kept it standing, but rendered the architecture yet another step removed from traditional Queen Anne style. “The person who saved the house had unique tastes,” Brown says.
Still, she and her husband, an attorney, were captivated by the home’s prominent front gable, wraparound porch and stamped metal roof. It had some good qualities inside, too, including old wood floors, high ceilings and beautiful stone walls in the basement.
To address the house’s shortcomings and restore coherence in the architecture, the couple hired Arlington-based
Shutler Architects, a firm with extensive experience working on historic projects and navigating the world of review boards.
“This particular house had many evolutions,” says principal Rob Shutler. “That’s what was interesting about it. It started out as kind of Italianate, like you’d expect in a plantation mansion. And then it got added on to over a period of time. Each new style was appended to it, so there was an Edwardian piece that included a tall tower. During the Depression, they added a whole wing that was basically for a guesthouse.”
Given the hodgepodge of styles, the bulk of the restoration work involved “adding by subtracting.” Shutler down-
played the newer of the two towers by integrating its form into the house, and stripped away roof shingles to reveal sections of original painted metal.
The interiors were suffering from considerable deterioration. “The whole period of time when it wasn’t well maintained—like when it was a tenement house—there was a lot of stuff that had to be updated and brought back with new materials,” Shutler says. The team refreshed and enlarged the bathrooms, added closets, completely redid the kitchen and added new insulation.
Historic review boards tend to demand that architects refurbish and restore original windows, but this case was different. Due to energy-code re-
quirements, the HALRB allowed Shutler to replace some of the home’s windows with new ones in certain areas.
“They looked just like the old ones,” he says. “We made sure they were historically correct, but they were doublepane and insulated.”
The renovation also included some careful additions, such as a rear screened porch the HALRB deemed consistent with the home’s history, given that it already had a wide, wraparound porch.
Shutler says navigating the approval process at the county level—permits, variances and the review board—was relatively painless. The team did have to negotiate with one faction that wanted to distinguish anything new from what
was old, and another that wanted the new work to blend in, but overall there was a cooperative spirit.
The project wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. The Browns ran into problems with the Commonwealth of Virginia when they applied for the federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits (up to 20% and 25%, respectively) that they had been counting on to offset their remodeling expenses.
“I went down [to the office] a couple of times, and we hired a historical consultant,” Brown
says, “[but] when we turned in our application, they rejected it. It wasted almost six months.”
The rejection was especially disappointing, Shutler says, because the state “led us to believe the whole time that what we were doing was within their guidelines.”
Six years later, those frustrations feel like ancient history. “It was bad at the time,” Brown says. “But I have to say,
we have these beautiful spaces, and our screened porch is incredible. It’s nice for entertaining and just a nice place to be.” ■
Nigel F. Maynard is a writer in historic Hyattsville, Maryland, where he lives in a 1906 farmhouse with his wife and harlequin Great Dane. Follow him on Instagram @products_hound and @custom_home_hacker.
THE PROJECT
Renovated in: 2018
Year Built: 1881
Neighborhood: Waycroft-Woodlawn
Square Footage: 4,165
Architect: Rob Shutler
Shutler Architects shutlerarchitects.com
Contractor: Kingston Custom Homes kingstoncustomhomes.com
A restored 1932 Sears kit home goes for maximum efficiency.
BY NIGEL F. MAYNARD PHOTOS BY MICHAEL VENTURA
During its heyday in the 20th century, Sears, Roebuck and Co. was a well-known mail order catalog and department store that sold everything from dolls and apparel to household appliances and furniture. That’s not all. The retail giant also was a purveyor of DIY “kit” homes, shipped in precut components that buyers or their contractors could assemble on location. More than 70,000 such dwellings were constructed across the U.S. from 1908 to 1942 when Sears discontinued the line.
Not only were these prefab homes affordable for their time—initially costing as little as $700—they were sturdy and high quality. An estimated 70% are still standing today (Arlington County has more than 100), and the vintage structures remain quite popular among a small but fervent niche of homebuyers.
Colin Uckert is one such enthusiast. “I lived in Lyon Village for a little while, right across the street from a Sears kit house,” says the local real estate attorney. “The home was a bungalow. The size was proportionate to the small lots in Arlington. It had a welcoming front porch and a dormer.”
Uckert was driving around Arlington’s historic Maywood neighborhood in 2021 when he stumbled upon a Sears “Wexford” model (a plan the company later renamed “Bridgeport” in an effort to boost sales). The house had originally been built as a five-room rambler with one bathroom.
There was something familiar about it that, for Uckert, evoked feelings of nostalgia. “It was built in 1932, which is about the time my grandfather built the house where my dad grew up in Suffolk County, New York,” he says. “My father did not grow up in a Sears kit house, but it looked an awful lot like this one.”
The Maywood home was in bad shape, covered with overgrown ivy and filled with possessions left behind by a previous owner who may or may not have been a hoarder. Looking past the
detritus, Uckert pictured a makeover that included an addition, a modernsize primary suite, two bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, fiber cement exterior siding and new dormers.
Those dreams were soon met with the realities of renovating in a historic district, where all exterior materials and architectural alterations must be approved by a review board dedi -
cated to preserving the character of the neighborhood. Uckert assembled a team to navigate the (potentially) arduous review process: architect Matt Lee, of Lee Design Studio in Falls Church, to clarify his ideas; and Arjay West of West Homes in Arlington, to execute them.
In this case, the renovation plans required the blessing of the Arlington Historical Affairs and Landmark Re-
view Board (HALRB), which maintains guidelines for exterior details and expects architects to build what they have submitted in the plans.
“I’ve worked in multiple preservation areas…but I hadn’t worked in Maywood,” Lee says. “Each [historic preservation board] is a little different, but each one is the same, too. They’re trying to make something beautiful.
They don’t care about the cost, and they want to be part of the design.”
Lee recalls one point in the process when Uckert fell in love with a front door whose design differed slightly from the drawings that had been presented to the HALRB. Because the new door had a different number of lites (panes of glass) than the drawing, the plans had to be resubmitted.
There were other hurdles. Lee conceptualized the rear addition that Uckert wanted to build and got approval from the HALRB, but a neighbor objected to the garage aspect of the design once the plans went before the county board of zoning appeals. So Uckert ditched the addition and put the focus on the original home.
Sears homes, per their reputation, can weather almost any storm, says remodeler West, and this one, cosmetic issues aside, was fundamentally in good shape. “The house had seen better days, but it was clear to us that the people who had built the home cared deeply and knew what they were doing,” West says. “The foundation of the house was nearly perfect. The main ridge beam looked unscathed, despite its considerable age.”
Structurally, the team kept the house mostly intact, although they removed a poorly designed 1980s addition, reducing the home’s square footage from 3,000 to 2,100. A reconfigured lower level now contains a bedroom, bathroom, exercise room and 400-bottle wine cellar. The main level features a renovated kitchen and living room with vaulted ceilings, decorative cedar beams and an exposed brick wall.
The floor plan on the main level remains largely faithful to the original, with a primary suite, second bedroom and bathroom, although Lee opened things up and introduced a spiral staircase that starts in the basement and ends in a new loft space with an office overlooking the kitchen.
A new courtyard patio and a screened
porch (not shown) provide welcome spaces to enjoy the weather. “It’s still a really cool representation of this historic house,” Lee says.
Energy efficiency was an important goal in the renovation, so the team focused on improving the exterior walls and the systems. The HALRB nixed Uckert’s request to swap the painted brick exterior for fiber cement siding, but spray foam insulation helps maintain the house’s internal comfort. A geothermal heat pump system buried beneath the yard uses the constant temperature underground to help heat and cool the house. Uckert, who lives in the home with his girlfriend, Leigh Ann Jackson, says his monthly heating and cooling bill is now around $5.
Architecturally, the home’s window style was almost a sticking point. At the start of the project in 2022, HALRB
guidelines required historically accurate single-pane wood windows, which are not as energy efficient as newer products on the market.
“As we began construction, the HALRB amended the guidelines to allow for double-pane windows,” West says. “This was a game changer for us. Double-pane windows maintained the historical integrity of the home while making the windows optimal for occupant comfort and energy efficiency.”
In the end, the renovation is a handsome mixture of old and new elements. Green and copper accents—a combo reminiscent of old pubs—and 1920s-style black-and-white tiles hearken back to the home’s past, while its high ceilings, built-in lighting and energy-saving features bring it well into the present. “It’s vintage,” Lee says, “but we’ve got some modern touches.” ■
THE PROJECT
Renovated in: 2022-2023
Year Built: 1932
Neighborhood: Maywood
Square Footage: 3,000 before / 2,100 after
Architect/Interior Designer: Matt Lee and Marie Payne
Lee Design Studio leedesign.studio
Contractor: Arjay West, West Homes westbuilds.com
Nigel F. Maynard is a writer and DIY remodeler based in historic Hyattsville, Maryland. Follow him on Instagram @prod ucts_hound and @custom_home_hacker.
433 E. Monroe Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301 703-844-9936 | sales@ccottages.com | www.ccottages.com
BIO
Classic Cottages is a Northern Virginia custom home builder that builds primarily in Arlington. Whether families are looking to build a beautiful model home or a custom home from scratch, Classic Cottages can handle everything from concept to completion through its skilled in-house acquisitions, sales, architecture, design and construction departments.
Classic Cottages unveiled its impressive California Modern home in late December 2023. There were a lot of important architectural and design elements considered when creating this one-of-akind home. A bright home office with a private bath and separate command center are two of the lifestyle conveniences included on the main level. “People still want the flexibility of being able to work from home. A main-level office that can double as an in-law suite is the perfect solution. The command center, which includes a workstation and cabinetry for storage, is the appropriate drop zone for organizing daily essentials. These spaces do not have to be large to be impactful,” says Michelle Lynch, sales manager at Classic Cottages. Another architectural consideration was capturing sunlight throughout as much of the home as possible. “Facing eastwest, the home’s morning sun is absolutely gorgeous as it shines through the kitchen, breakfast area, great room and luxury primary suite. Large windows and defined, open spaces were essential to achieving this goal.”
Arlington, VA
703-791-1317
Chad.Hackmann@AlairHomes.com
AlairArlington.com
IG: @alairnovadc
Alair Homes Arlington is an award-winning custom builder serving Arlington, Falls Church and D.C. With over 20 years of local experience, we specialize in building dream homes on any lot size. Whether new construction, an addition or renovation, our expertise and transparent process ensure exceptional homes and delighted homeowners.
Our clients entrusted us to convert their 1950s Cape Cod into a modern dream home with an open floor plan, abundant natural light and high-end finishes throughout. The finished home boasts an impressive 5,000 square feet of living space over three floors, with six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. Preserving three basement walls, we elevated the basement ceiling to 9’ and added an expansive 16’ accordion door that opens to a covered patio.
The large-format Italian tile flooring and trimless windows bring clean lines to every room. A custom cedar wood screen divides the kitchen and entryway, while the home’s centerpiece is a stunning open-riser staircase with solid oak treads and skylights above.
The kitchen boasts a waterfall-edge island, quartz backsplash, European cabinetry and paneled appliances. Upstairs, the owner’s suite includes a spa-like bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tile, premium shower features and a soaker tub.
3103 N. 10th St., Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201 703-243-3171 | info@trivistausa.com www.trivistausa.com
Voted Best Remodeler 2024 by the readers of Arlington Magazine, TriVistaUSA Design + Build’s trusted team of architects, interior designers and skilled craftsmen will turn your goals into a reality. Owners Deborah and Michael Sauri aim to provide creative bespoke solutions on time and on budget, achieving beautiful results for every lifestyle.
Each TriVistaUSA Design + Build project begins with the same careful process: intently listening to our client’s needs and providing high-design solutions. TriVistaUSA’s charette process is collaborative, calling on the expertise of every team member to bring different perspectives to the design solutions. Our focused approach means every project is assigned a dedicated, experienced team that ensures every detail is designed and built with an artisan’s eye. In this 2023 project, our client’s old bathroom was outdated in style and awkward in layout. She wanted something luxurious, spa-like and functional. What did we do? We bumped out some unnecessary columns, expanded the shower and installed this gorgeous freestanding bathtub. We used our client’s inspiration photos to closely match her style and designed a beautiful vanity featuring acrylic gold geometric mirrors. The result? An absolutely stunning new bathroom that met the client’s budget and exceeded her expectations.
4719 N. 24th Road, Arlington, VA 22207
703-243-1752
arlingtondesignerhomes@gmail.com
www.ArlingtonDesignerHomes.com
Arlington native Andrew Moore, president of Arlington Designer Homes, has served his community as a translator at the Arlington Free Clinic, on public school planning commissions and as president of the Custom Builders Council. Most recently he was presented the prestigious Best Green Building award by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA).
Arlington Designer Homes is a design/build firm specializing in green, high efficiency custom remodeling and new home construction. We have certified more houses than any other company under the Arlington County Green Home Choice Program. As true custom builders we have developed systems that address the challenges and opportunities that come with custom building in Arlington. Building is a process. We break this process down into smaller pieces that make it more manageable and more understandable. We do both large-scale remodeling and new home construction. This allows us to look holistically at the project and help determine what the best way forward will be for our clients. It can be challenging to decide if remodeling or building new is the right move. We have the experience and the expertise to talk about both and help pick the option that works best for you. We build for the way you live!
703-506-0845
www.BowersDesignBuild.com
Since 1990, our on-staff architects, designers and construction professionals have focused on creating beautiful homes for each of our clients’ unique needs. Award-winning, creative designs coupled with our expert construction management process have garnered a highly satisfied client base. The proof: 100% of our clients surveyed by GuildQuality would recommend us to a friend.
Our successful design/build process focuses on respecting our client’s objectives every step of the way. This means respecting design needs, budget, timing and the overall client experience. Owners of this 1967 McLean Colonial wanted to minimize their existing large formal spaces and maximize more informal spaces for day-to-day living and entertaining. We created a plan to repurpose the entire main level, making the kitchen footprint large enough to include a casual dining area as well as island seating. The addition of a large entertainment center makes this new kitchen the heart of the home and perfect for entertaining. Focusing on clients’ functional and aesthetic needs and delivering an overall great experience through our tried-and-true process is why 30% of our clients are repeat customers. To see all the before and after photos for this project, visit our website BowersDesignBuild.com.
Future Site Location: 7929 Westpark Drive, Tysons, VA 22102 703-348-3752 | Info@TheMatherTysons.com www.TheMatherTysons.com
Mather is a unique not-for-profit organization founded in 1941 that is dedicated to creating Ways to Age WellSM Headquartered in Evanston, IL, the organization maintains a focus on mission and strategic planning for the future, with an ongoing emphasis on impact, significance and sustainability.
The Mather, opening in early 2024 in Tysons, is a forwardthinking 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 rail service, retail and restaurants. The Mather’s apartment homes range from 800 to 3,300 square feet and feature expansive views, luxury finishes and innovative smart-home technology. Entrance fees start at $639,800. The Mather will feature 38,000+ square feet of amenities, including multiple restaurants, spa, fitness center, indoor pool, rooftop clubroom, art studio, meeting spaces and more! But the true luxury lies in the peace of mind offered by living in an extraordinary Life Plan Community where 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.
205 W. Jefferson St., Falls Church, VA 22046 703-534-2500 | hello@ode-kitchens.com www.ode-kitchens.com | IG: @ode_kitchens
ODE Kitchens is a professional kitchen and bathroom design firm, offering exclusive access to several boutique cabinetry lines. Their team excels in crafting designs across various styles and budget ranges, engaging with homeowners, builders and designers in collaborative projects. Contact ODE to discuss your home or set up an appointment to visit their amazing design studio in Falls Church.
Imagine a kitchen that is the heart of your family’s world, fostering connection and warmth. You are searching for a team that is dedicated to creating a home that mirrors your dreams and values, that seeks to work with you to harmonize function, aesthetics and budgets, turning your dream into reality.
This kitchen is a perfect blend of detail and function, incorporating textures, soft materials and proportion. Through close collaboration with our clients, every element is tailored to their lifestyle and aesthetic. Join us at the bar and relax while we craft you the perfect latte!
At ODE, we’re here to listen and dream with you. We commit every day to the journey of creating sacred spaces that surpass your imagination. We bring your dream into focus, shaping it with you into the tangible and intangible—frozen poetry. In our world, the biggest dream in the room wins.
3409 N. Potomac St. Arlington, VA 22213 703-483-2427
info@defalcohomedesign.com www.defalcohomedesign.com
Our collaborative design process will result in a unique solution that is custom fit to your needs. Tripp DeFalco, AIA, is a licensed architect. You’ll work directly with the owner and receive personalized attention for the life of the project. Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Architect 2022 and 2024
My clients wished to transform a dated Arlington Colonial into a ‘new’ modern home. A polygonal lot combined with the diagonal placement of the existing house required creative solutions to comply with the required street setbacks. This was accomplished through a full gut and renovation of the existing home coupled with modest additions on all four sides of the structure.
Moving the existing kitchen to a front addition was the key to creating a large family room and dining space within the existing structure. Upstairs, a dedicated homework zone separates the kids’ rooms from the owner’s suite, which overlooks the back yard.
Biophilic design is evident in the materials selected for the project, including hand-fired clay tile, oak floors and millwork, and handwoven reed grass light fixtures. Builder: Snead Custom Homes & Reed General Contracting. Interior Design: Ame Gold Design
2430 S. Kenmore St., Arlington, VA 22206 703-525-5255 | office@commonwealthrestorations.com www.commonwealthrestorations.com | IG: @commonwealthrestorations
Since 1972, Commonwealth Restorations has been serving Arlington and the greater Northern Virginia area as an innovative leader in the construction and remodeling industry. We are a locally-owned and -operated business, and we are proud to call many of our clients neighbors and friends. Beyond providing excellent home services, we strive to give back by supporting local organizations, including youth sports, schools and charities.
We offer a wide breadth of services, and we enjoy taking on home projects big and small. Whether it’s a screened-in porch, kitchen or bath renovation, a new basement, or a brand-new home, Commonwealth Restorations provides excellent care and craftsmanship to make your home vision come to life. We offer what few other contractors can—the true “Commonwealth Difference”—paying attention to the details from the beginning of a project and using the highest selection of products as a starting point. It’s our standard—never an upgrade—to provide high-grade lumber, quality brand products, and detailed coordination with our expert design and construction team. We aim to deliver a superior customer experience for our clients, with open communication, transparent budgeting, staffing and on-site organization. Together, we can confidently and successfully make your home goals happen. Contact us today to learn more.
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700 Bethesda, MD 20814
240-333-2000
www.gtmarchitects.com
BIO
Celebrating a landmark 35th anniversary this year, GTM Architects is an award-winning design firm offering architecture, planning and interior design services. Always committed to serving the needs and vision of its clients above all else, GTM’s professionals possess a wide array of finely tuned skills across vastly diverse styles and specialties.
THE PROJECT
The design for this custom Colonial home seamlessly blends the timeless elegance of classic, traditional architecture with contemporary aesthetics and functionality. Overcoming the challenge of a large sloping lot, GTM Architects utilized this opportunity to create a dynamic walk-out to a beautiful, rear-yard pool and patio area. The exterior mix of white brick and siding is complemented by a traditional front roof line, accentuated at the back by dormers that add height to the rooms and create a secondary massing effect. A thoughtfully designed floor plan features a center hall Colonial layout, spacious living areas, a private office with terrace access and an inviting walk-out basement. The elegant interior showcases exquisite stair hall paneling, unique built-ins with bookshelves and hidden drawers, stained mahogany office walls, and a luxurious wine room tucked away below the stairs. A screened-in porch and lower-level covered space leads out to the pool through dramatic arches.
2711 Dorr Ave., Suite O, Fairfax, VA 22031 703-346-5872 | alejandra@hpdesignandbuild.com www.hpdesignandbuild.com
Whether you live in Arlington, McLean or Falls Church, HP Design and Build is the right choice for a remodel or custom home project. Founded under the vision of Freddy Pena, who has more than 20 years of experience and collaboration with leading architects, engineers and interior designers, we can match our customers’ expectations through our quality and expertise.
Located near Country Club Hills, our most recent project, 3827 N. Abingdon Street, features a 7,500 square foot modern farmhouse beautifully situated on a 10,000 square foot lot. Two years in the making, we maximized the use of the lot to provide an openconcept floor plan with five bedrooms and seven baths. From initial design to completion, we combined sophistication and charm by enhancing the kitchen with white cabinetry and incorporating gold hardware and fixtures throughout the home. Taking great care in the flow of the rooms, space and storage, the home features wonderful details such as a master closet island with drawers, a heated master bath floor and a large gym surrounded by glass walls. Call us for your next project of any size!
See links for more pictures: 3827abingdon.com – AVAILABLE $2,799,888 1445oakview.com – SOLD 4607-27thst.com – SOLD
Servicing Northern VA
703-638-4666
aj.bld.services@gmail.com
www.ajbuildingservices.com
BIO
We’re a family-owned and -operated home remodeling company with more than 40 years of experience in new custom home building, additions and remodeling. That experience is invaluable with projects in Arlington because the homes have a wide range of ages, styles and homeowner needs. We’ve seen just about everything and solved many building challenges for our clients.
OUR WORK
“AJ Building Services is, by far, the best contractor I’ve had the pleasure of working with. We feel very fortunate to have found AJ as they are very honest and only do quality work. Our addition came out beautifully and we are much happier as a family. Andy and Daniel stay within budget and communicate with you every step of the way. Also, they finished my addition ahead of time. They will do a walkthrough with you and make sure you are satisfied. AJ Building Services is the only contractor who has ever checked on us after the project was done to make sure we are truly happy. AJ is a keeper, and I will not hire anyone else to do projects in my home.” —M.C.
4754 1st St. N. Arlington, VA 22203
571-419-0035
info@atlasmoran.com
www.atlasmoran.com
Atlas Moran Construction is an award-winning Arlington design/ build firm that specializes in whole-house projects. We offer a full suite of custom home remodeling services, and we have the experience, technical capability and design sensibility to execute your dream project.
With our comprehensive evaluation, design development and production process, we work on every detail with our clients to help them transform their homes. We prioritize our clients’ needs with a focus on inventive design, sustainable building practices and leveraging our expertise in the latest building science technologies. Our team of skilled lead carpenters and designers work together with our expert suppliers and tradesmen, many of whom we have worked with for over two decades in Arlington. Established by longtime Arlington residents, we are a family business deeply rooted in the community. We grew up here, our families live here and we are proud to be working with our clients to transform Arlington the right way. We are committed to responsible, high-quality design and building practices, and we expect excellence from all of our projects. Our number one priority is to make sure our clients are 100% satisfied from start to finish.
4080 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 210A, Chantilly, VA 20151 703-491-0700 | ask@buildwithclassic.com
www.buildwithclassic.com
FB: Classic Homes | IG: @classichomesva
Classic Homes has been one of Northern Virginia’s longeststanding, most-trusted homebuilders since 1983. Our owners, John Halak, Vivek Puri and Chaman Puri, with over 80 years of combined experience in construction, collaborate with an enthusiastic team of skilled designers and dedicated project managers to bring our clients’ visions to life.
With forward-thinking design and sound engineering in mind, Classic Homes offers unique customizations to accommodate aging-in-place, multigenerational living and cultural considerations that meet each family’s needs so they can thrive in their dream home. Our engineers, craftsmen and designers work together to create homes in a range of styles, from traditional to modern, that consider functionality, design and budget in every project. We have been GALA (Great American Living Award) winners for the past several years for our outstanding sales team, overall home design and distinctive home features, but our true pride lies steadfast in our unsurpassed structural integrity and client satisfaction. The relationships we build with our homeowners are unlike any other and every referral we receive from a previous client is a testament to our core values. We look forward to the opportunity to design and build your family’s dream home that encompasses both practicality and timeless design.
After
2880 Hartland Road Falls Church, VA 22043
703-204-2826 Ext. 3
sales@paulsbestlawn.com www.paulsbestlawn.com
Paul’s Best is a local, family-owned company that focuses on lawn rehabilitation and ongoing routine maintenance. Thorough in all aspects of our work, you simply can’t compare apples to apples in this industry, and there is only one Paul’s Best. We stand behind all the work we do, and the work speaks for itself.
After the initial clean up, the client asked us to “fix” the lawn. Our turf program is a cost-effective alternative to sodding to achieve the same results over time. Fifteen months and two fall-seeding cycles later, the turf is healthy and free of weeds and disease. Many homeowners lump companies in our industry together as the “lawn guy with a mower and a truck,” assuming we’re all the same but with different prices. Others think they can do this work as well as any company, only needing help if they don’t have the time to do it themselves. After all, it’s just yard work, right? Wrong. Our crews are masters of their craft. We take pride in providing the highest quality service for clients who don’t accept mediocrity. Visit our website to view other examples of our work and see how we can help your property achieve its full potential.
Before
10135 Colvin Run Road, Suite 200, Great Falls, VA 22066 (703) 757-0036 | james@jamesmcdonaldarchitects.com www.jamesmcdonaldarchitects.com
James McDonald Associate Architects (JMAA) is an award-winning, design-oriented architecture firm operating in the Washington D.C. area. Family-owned and -operated, JMAA has been actively working with clients to create their dream homes for 15 years. JMAA’s projects include infill and custom homes, spec homes and renovations.
JMAA designs projects throughout the metro region. From modern designs to rich classics, the same excellence and attention to detail is paramount. Our process starts by listening to our clients’ needs and wishes. It quickly proceeds to a design charette, developing ideas and sketching directions in the initial meeting. With our design talent, knowledge of market trends and our construction know-how, we can bring all our clients through the process quickly and efficiently to bring their wishes and dreams to life. Piney Run: This home was built on a wooded lot in Great Falls. It has an open floor plan with floor to ceiling windows, illuminating the interior spaces. Wood accents, a floating staircase and a three-story drip waterfall highlight some of the unique features in this home. McLean Custom Home: This custom home was designed with a mixture of stucco stone and wood accents, providing a warm contemporary feel. Clean lines and large windows fill the interior full of openness and light.
4812 Fox Chapel Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
trent@trentwahlhomes.com
www.trentwahlhomes.com
TW Homes was started with a clear focus in mind—to provide you with a great customer experience and a house that you can be proud to call home. We pride ourselves on quality workmanship, realistic schedules, honest budgets and an experience that leaves a lasting impression. Whatever your goals, we will guide you through the entire architectural, construction and interior design process.
We are a construction firm that partners with architects to create a seamless design/build experience. Every project is completely custom; no two are the same. We specialize in new builds, major renovations and additions. We don’t focus specifically on any style and treat every project with the same craftsmanship and quality. We partner with trades and vendors that care about the quality of the product and their workmanship. We manage all our projects through web-based software so you can see them in real time. Our schedules are linked to every aspect of the project. Beginning with design then continuing through permit and construction, our clients have access to the entire project. The software is also a centralized location for all communication throughout the project. We are a referral-based company, and our mission is to make you a client for life.
Falls Church, VA
203-313-9697 | Sales@ZimmermannHomes.com ZimmermannHomes.com
Zimmermann Homes has consistently been voted one of the area’s Best Builders by the readers of Arlington Magazine and the Falls Church News-Press. All homes come standard with upgraded products and building techniques that result in an energy-efficient, low-service and durable home. We are passionate about working together with our clients to build innovative homes that combine a level of performance and beauty that is tough to find elsewhere.
Celebrating seventeen years in the design/build market, Zimmermann Homes has diligently earned a reputation for being a reliable and high-quality builder. To Zimmermann, the process is as important as the final product and the result is a well-oiled machine from start to finish. Clients can custom design a unique home with Zimmermann’s talented architect or choose from dozens of established plans. From there you shop and pick your finishes with a stylish interior designer and the install is overseen by a seasoned project manager who is an artist in his trade. Related documents are accessible via a shared cloud-based system and the team’s Realtor can assist with lot acquisition or even selling your old home. The end result is a one-stop shop that often exceeds expectations. As a bonus, the owner is personally driven by energy independence, so all Zimmermann Homes come with products designed to help lower utility bills and use less energy!
Whether he’s running a 150-mile race through extreme terrain, running the company he built, or running a fundraiser for someone in need, Frank Fumich never stops running.
Frank Fumich was walking his dogs in late 2020 when he spotted a delivery driver juggling six bags of groceries, jogging up the sidewalk with his arms full. The man was hustling.
That’s the kind of employee I want, thought Fumich, whose McLean-based company, Express Catering, provides logistical support and delivers supplies for the airline industry. On a whim, he turned around and caught up with the man before he drove away.
“I literally knocked on his window,” Fumich says, and asked if he was looking for a job.
The man, named Bobo, clearly already had a job, but they exchanged numbers. Soon after, Bobo was on the Express Catering payroll. “He immediately became my best employee,” Fumich says. “He’s always on time. He offers to work extra hours when someone else calls in sick.”
Originally from Cameroon, Bobo (last name withheld for privacy) never planned on coming to the U.S. In the early 2000s, he was arrested and imprisoned in his home country for peacefully protesting student conditions at his university.
“He was tortured and beaten,” Fumich says. “He ended up getting out of jail, but then he got word that they were going to come back for him. He and his wife decided the best course of action was for him to escape.”
After fleeing to Equatorial Guinea, Bobo entered the U.S. on a travel visa and applied for asylum, leaving his wife and young daughter behind. By the time he met Fumich, he had not seen his family in seven years.
“Maybe I can try to help you,” Fumich said.
In the months that followed, Fumich hired an immigration attorney, created a GoFundMe campaign and posted on Facebook, asking friends to help his employee. Within 48 hours of that post, he had raised $30,000. In November,
Bobo was reunited with his wife and daughter when they were granted asylum to move here permanently.
“Everybody got so into this,” Fumich says enthusiastically. “It’s like something you’ve never seen before.”
FUMICH, 56, is a man driven by altruism and adrenaline. An ultra-endurance athlete, he has run, biked, swum and climbed his way across the globe, often leveraging his physical feats to raise money for others—whether he’s cycling from coast to coast, crossing the world’s hottest deserts on foot or summiting Mount Vinson in Antarctica. To date he has crowdsourced more than $500,000 for various causes.
“I feel a responsibility and keep my eyes open for people who need help,” he says. “Nothing feels better.”
Fumich grew up in Arlington’s Spy Hill neighborhood, about half a mile east of Seven Corners. His father, George
Fumich, was a World War II POW who earned the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. George worked in West Virginia coal mines, putting himself through college and law school before moving with his wife, Marie, to the DMV, where he served as assistant secretary of fossil fuels at the Department of Energy during the Carter administration.
Today, Fumich owns and rents out his childhood home near Ashlawn Elementary—the school he and his sister, Sheila, attended before moving on to St. Ann Catholic School for middle school and then Bishop O’Connell High School. Both went to college at West Virginia University, where Fumich studied business.
After his college graduation in 1991, he moved home to figure out his next steps. His older half-brother owned a hot dog stand in the old U.S. Airways terminal at Reagan National Airport, which Fumich managed while working
part time as a baggage handler. “Just so I could get the free flying benefits,” he says. “I thought it was super cool.”
He liked to chat up the flight crews and push himself by seeing how many bags he could carry at once.
“It was all little commuter planes,” he says, “so when you had a bag that wouldn’t fit [under the] seat, we would take ’em back to the cargo hold. My coworkers would grab one bag. I would grab 10 on each arm until I was almost falling over. I was known as the hardest worker out there.”
Eventually, his aviation pals suggested he combine his two gigs into a full-time job doing catering deliveries for the airline. Prepping a plane for a flight involves a million little logistics, including moving food, beverages and supplies from the warehouse to the aircraft cabin.
Intrigued by the suggestion, Fumich put together a proposal in June of 2000 and landed a contract with U.S. Airways Express. That was the genesis of Express Catering, with Fumich as its sole employee, putting in 18-hour days. When he wasn’t working, he took advantage of the perks of the job, occasionally catching a free flight to the beach for an afternoon.
“I never wanted to be at a desk inside,” he says. “I always wanted to be my own boss. That’s what I like most— that I don’t answer to anybody. I make the decisions; I make my schedule.”
Today Express Catering has more
than 100 employees and services some 800 flights per day. The company has contracts with American Airlines at major airports in D.C., Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C.
THOUGH HE HAS always been athletic, Fumich didn’t become an endurance athlete until age 29, when his beloved aunt was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“We all grew up as a close Catholic family. Everyone was praying for her,” he says. “Toward the end, she was in a lot of pain. I wanted to do something to kind of put myself in an uncomfortable ‘pain’ with her. I told her I was going to run a marathon and dedicate it to her.”
He signed up for the 1997 Marine Corps Marathon, even though he had never run a marathon before.
“I hated almost all of it,” he admits, “because I had trained so little. I actually dropped and was carried off by the Marines at the finish line. Not because I had any medical condition. I just gave it everything and totally collapsed—
which kind of typifies my whole endurance career. I just leave it all out there.”
He was nonetheless obsessed. “I was just amazed, when it was all over, that your mind can push your body well past what you thought was possible. I became fascinated by that, wondering, What am I capable of? What are people really capable of? I immediately started kicking it up a notch.”
He signed up for another marathon. Then a 50-mile race. Then an Ironman. Soon he was doing 100-mile races “all over the planet.”
“I wanted to try the hardest event in every discipline imaginable,” he says. “To see if I could do it.”
Fumich was working out at Gold’s Gym in Ballston in the mid-2000s when he met his wife, Chelsea, then a PE teacher. On their first date, they flew to Miami. He proposed in Bora Bora. They eloped at a Catholic Church in Maui on Oct. 3, 2006.
Both share an interest in travel and fitness, Fumich says, although she
isn’t driven to extremes like he is. “She thinks it’s all crazy.”
So far, Fumich has climbed the highest mountains on six of the seven continents. The only one left is Everest, which he plans to summit in 2026.
He has skied and trekked across the North and South poles—sustaining such extreme frostbite on a recent excursion to Antarctica that the bone at the tip of his thumb protruded through the skin for months, requiring surgery. He has run through the Sahara Desert, Death Valley and the Arctic Circle.
“You don’t learn anything about
yourself by sitting on the couch,” he says. “Doing these crazy hard things and pushing yourself well past what you think you’re capable of [makes you realize] other things in life aren’t that big of a deal. When I’m out doing them and I’m super miserable—like I’m on the side of a mountain, it’s minus 30 degrees—I tell myself, ‘Hey, when you get back to civilization, don’t sweat the small stuff because nothing is as bad as this.’ It really lends a lot of perspective to everyday life.”
After the Boston Marathon bombing in April of 2013, Fumich started using
his athleticism to do good for others.
“I was super pissed and angry that these terrorists were trying to disrupt our way of life,” he says. “People were killed. I wanted to help.”
He announced on social media that he planned to run the equivalent of three marathons (78.6 miles) nonstop along the Potomac River. Asking friends and family to sponsor him, he parked at Gravelly Point by the airport, ran 3 miles toward Old Town, Alexandria, then turned around. “I just ran back and forth for 18 hours,” he says.
His goal was to raise $26,200— $1,000 for every mile of a standard marathon—in support of the Richards family, whose 8-year-old son was killed in the Boston blast. He ended up raising so much money that he added a second beneficiary, Jeffrey Bauman, who had lost both his legs in the bombing.
Rather than mailing checks to the recipients, Fumich decided to run from
D.C. to Boston to deliver them personally, raising even more money in the process. He was joined by his friend and fellow ultra-marathoner Matt Nelson.
They started at the Pentagon in June 2013 and ran 450 miles north, alternating legs every six hours and stopping only for power naps. On the homestretch, they finished out by running the route of the Boston Marathon to present the checks in person. They raised about $80,000 total.
To their surprise, they weren’t always running alone. People following their journey met up with them and ran beside them along the way.
“Total strangers reached out and met us in the middle of the night,” Fumich recalls. “They would ask, ‘When are you going to be through our town?’ And we would do the calculation. These people would be there at 2 in the morning and run with us. I’m still friends with them. I mean, it was unreal.”
Pushing his body to its limits, Fumich has raised funds for a variety of causes, from Hurricane Sandy victims to children with cancer. He has amassed more than 28,000 Facebook followers with amusing posts and tales of his exploits, which has also proven to be an effective platform for fundraising.
He runs the Marine Corps Marathon every year, serving as a running partner for his friend Aaron Hale, a Navy veteran, entrepreneur and fellow endurance athlete who lost his sight to an IED explosion while serving in Afghanistan, and later lost his hearing after coming down with meningitis.
“Finishing a race feels great—but finishing knowing I’m helping someone while I’m doing it feels way better,” Fumich says.
His energy is contagious. “We’re all made better because of Frank,” says his brother-in-law, Kevin Buckley, who also lives in McLean. “He makes our hearts
and our lives bigger and better. I’m moved by his intensity and his drive.”
In 2018, Fumich cycled across the country to raise money for Hopecam, a Reston-based nonprofit that connects kids hospitalized for cancer treatment with their classrooms. He dedicated each day’s ride to a different child, pedaling with their photos affixed to his handlebars.
the terrain of distant lands, Fumich runs five or six days a week in the DMV. If he’s training for a climb, he’ll carry a 50-pound backpack. Neighbors sometimes see him pulling a tire for 10 miles along the hilly, tree-lined streets of Franklin Park, where he’s lived with his family since 2022. Sometimes he hits the StairMaster for an hour or heads out for a four-hour bike ride.
“Frank is pretty hard-core,” says friend and trainer Lisa Smith-Batchen,
who lives in Jackson, Wyoming. She has coached and crewed for Fumich ever since they met at a race in Morocco about 20 years ago.
“He has the most incredible grit, determination, focus,” she says. “He doesn’t sleep enough—I’ll say that. He’s up really early. He gets his workouts done while his kids are sleeping. He’s an incredible family man and really puts his family first. He’s very special. He lives a life of joy and gratitude.”
Wanderlust aside, Fumich is a selfdescribed homebody. “We don’t really go out much,” he says. “We love to sit around with our dogs and be with our kids and enjoy our home.”
THE PEACEFUL feeling of being home with loved ones is something he wanted for Bobo, too.
After launching the GoFundMe campaign that initially raised $30,000 for Bobo’s family, Fumich cosigned a lease on an apartment and started an Amazon wish list to furnish it. He asked the interior designer he’d hired to decorate his own home to select the furniture and décor.
On Nov. 11, 2023, he was with Bobo at Dulles International Airport when Bobo’s wife and daughter arrived from West Africa. He presented the family with a check for $50,000 and showed them their new home—a fully furnished apartment with everything from bedding and silverware to “Welcome Gnome” hand towels.
Later that afternoon, during a welcome party at his house in McLean, Fumich smiled as he watched Bobo’s daughter playing with his own twin girls.
“To see his daughter on a trampoline with my daughters, right where this all started on the sidewalk three years ago, just blew my mind,” Fumich says. “We happened to cross paths, and I took a chance. Now here we are today. It’s insane.”
He’s grateful for the outpouring of support for his star employee—and that in this case, all he had to do was ask. “I didn’t even have to kill myself” with an endurance race, he jokes.
“It seems like everybody really wants to help people,” he says. “There’s so much good that’s still in the world. You just have to open your eyes and see it.” ■
Wendy Kantor also wrote about Signature Theatre’s director of cabarets, Mark G. Meadows, in this issue.
•
• Commitment Ceremonies
• Anniversary Celebrations
• Milestone Events
• Mitzvahs
• Corporate Events
BY STEPHANIE KANOWITZ AND ADELE CHAPIN
If your idea of a perfect weekend hang includes beer, doughnuts, fried chicken and oldschool arcade games like Space Invaders and Skee-Ball, this space-themed watering hole delivers. The brunch lineup includes savory dishes such as loaded tots with eggs and a Buffalo chicken and waffle sandwich. Indulge your sweet tooth with hot cake doughnuts made-to-order by a robot, or the signature Shirlington Astronaut yeast doughnut glazed in Nutella and filled with a shot of espresso and steamed milk. Not a beer drinker? The cocktails also include bubbly drinks, Irish coffee and bloody marys. // 4001 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington), astrobeerhall.com
This newish spot in Tysons is a glitzy destination for dim sum. There are no roving carts, but you can order to your heart’s desire, choosing authentic Chinese small plates ranging from steamed chicken feet to sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves. Some of the more popular standbys include rice crepes topped with steamed beef or roasted pork; baked barbecue pork buns; and desserts such as pineapple buns, Portuguese custard tarts and an almond ball with a custard yolk heart. // 7900 Westpark Drive, Tysons, hanpalaceva.com
Breathing new life into the former Whitlow’s space in Clarendon, this pretty-in-pink tropical oasis—which adjoins live-musicfocused B Live—is a nod to co-owner Christal Bramson’s Caribbean heritage. Come the brunch hour, the party includes 25-cent bottomless mimosas, shareable
plates of cinnamon rolls and coconut shrimp, and entrées such as oxtail hash or PB&J French toast with caramelized bananas. Cocktails that sync nicely with the theme include a Jerk Mary (garnished with jerk seasoning) and the Flamingo Lola (Lunazul tequila, grapefruit cordial, soda and Himalayan pineapple salt). // 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon), lovecocobs.com
Brunch isn’t just for weekends at this coffeehouse and café helmed by two trained pastry chefs. The “everyday brunch” (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends) from husband-and-wife owners Jen Demetrio and Gary O’Hanlon includes Fruity Pebbles-studded pancakes and a Greek yogurt parfait layered with housemade granola and fresh blueberry compote. There’s hearty fare, too, such as scratch-made cheddar biscuits and corned beef hash. Poutine fans will rejoice in discovering an entire menu section devoted to Canada’s favorite gravy-smothered dish—with toppings ranging from curry sauce or chili to ranch-style sour cream.
// 450 N. Washington St., Falls Church, cafekindred.com
This elegant Vietnamese destination in Founders Row is a sure bet for daytime cocktails, from carafes of mimosas to a bloody mary dressed up with Sungold tomato, kimchi, yuzu, lemon, pepper, dill and fish sauce. The food at this floral-adorned gem by Happy Endings Hospitality is just as inspired. Try soft-scrambled eggs with snow crab (to which you can add caviar or truffles) and sourdough bread with honey butter. Or a traditional Viet breakfast with beef ribeye tips or sausage, cagefree eggs, pâté toast and grape tomatoes. // 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church (Founders Row), nuevietnamese.com ■
This newcomer to Amazon’s Met Park offers both a la carte fare and a family-style unlimited brunch ($32 per person; $13.95 for kids under 10). Fill your belly with the Makers Scramble, a mash-up of four scrambled eggs, bacon, chorizo, breakfast potatoes, mushrooms, peppers and garlic bread; or a breakfast grain bowl with root veggies and pistachio pesto. For something sweet, try cornflake-crusted French toast served with maple-pecan praline syrup and fresh berries. Mimosas (classic, peach, watermelon or strawberry) come with $1 refills—or get your blood flowing with a drink called Wake Up Arlington, made with cold brew moonshine and iced coffee. // 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing), makersunionpub.com
If you can’t be in New Orleans, this Courthouse eatery will happily bring a taste of the Big Easy to you. The Full Bourbon Street Breakfast comes with three eggs, grilled andouille sausage, applewood-smoked bacon, red beans, herb-roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, home fries and toast. Alternately, dig into a beignet waffle with housemade butterscotch, or a po’boy sandwich stuffed with flash-fried rock shrimp or cornmeal-crusted oysters. Build your own bloody mary at the DIY bloody mary bar or lift your spirits with a glass of Giggle Water made with prosecco, muddled raspberries, cranberry juice and simple syrup.
// 1345 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington (Courthouse), ragtimerestaurant.com
Heading out with an NFL-size appetite? Sit down to the “Big Daddy” steak and eggs, a $40 combo that includes a 15-ounce (Travis Kelce-approved?) Kansas City steak, three eggs, sauteed mushrooms, a hash brown, toast and cheddar grits. Find your sweet spot in a side of brioche cinnamon rolls, or
a waffle topped with apples, cream cheese, pecan streusel, cornflakes and apple-caramel sauce. The craft cocktails at this congenial Clarendon haunt include a Smokin’ Old Fashioned made with hickory-smoked Rittenhouse Rye, brown simple sugar, angostura and orange bitters, and orange peel.
// 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Clarendon), greenpigbistro.com
Owners Yuan and Carey Tang earned a Michelin star for their first D.C.-area restaurant, Rooster & Owl. Now the culinary power couple (both of whom grew up in Falls Church) have returned to their hometown with a concept voted Best New Restaurant by Arlington Magazine readers and named one of 2023’s best restaurants in America by The New York Times. Chef Yuan’s playful brunchtime dishes include a “tornado” omelet with kimchi fried rice, Chinese sausage and Korean chili flakes; and a Halo Halo smoothie bowl—a riff on the popular Filipino dessert—layering avocado, granola, fruit, red beans and lime shaved ice. Drink your vitamins with a glass of fresh-pressed kale, celery or beet juice, or go harder with the White Lotus S2, a vacation-y blend of vodka, kiwi, salted cucumber cordial and lime.
// 125 Founder’s Ave., Falls Church, elliebirdva.com
Francophiles will find their happy place in chef Robert Maher’s French-inspired brunch menu, which features decadent options such as creme brulee French toast; foie gras and bacon eggs Benedict; and a Wagyu burger with brie cheese on brioche. For folks craving something more American, the options also include Southern-style shrimp and grits with Cajun red pepper sauce; and Nutella toast with honey, granola, peanut butter, cinnamon, marshmallow and berries. From the bar, enjoy $20 bottles of sparkling wine with your choice of juice, or a classic French 75 with gin, prosecco and lemon. // 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon), maisoncheryl.com
Arlington resident and chef Matt Hill goes big for brunch. At Ruthie’s, his award-winning restaurant and bar, the weekend menu includes rib-stickers such as the Brisket Bennie, a take on eggs Benedict that swaps out the English muffins for biscuits; a pulled pork bowl with grits and grilled peppers, topped with a fried egg; and apple-pie pancakes with maple poached apples. If you’re extra famished, go for the Ruthie’s Big Plate, which dishes up two eggs, house bacon, beef sausage, roasted potatoes and biscuits. Brunch sandwiches include the PSB, a pimento cheese scramble with bacon, arugula, milk bread and a side of fruit. Cocktails that pair well with daytime hours include the on-tap Sharp Sunrise with Don Julio silver tequila, raspberry shrub and lime; and Tee Time, made with Beefeater gin, Earl Grey tea and lemon.
// 3411 Fifth St. South, Arlington, ruthiesallday.com
Who ever said happy hour was only for weekdays? The weekend “Happy Brunch” at this Ballston Quarter hot spot brings specials on oysters, oyster shooters, beer, wine, mimosas, bloody marys and the bar’s signature Cape Codder gin and tonics. For sustenance, go for comforting seafood options like stuffies (baked top-neck clams with smoked sausage), a crab omelet with bacon, or a bowl of clam chowder. The star of the brunchtime hour is The Perfect Storm ($30), a double bloody mary garnished with a lobster claw, cocktail shrimp, a dressed oyster, fried coddie and accoutrements. It’s basically a meal in a glass.
// 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston), thesaltline.com ■
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DEBORAHSHAPIRO.SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM SHERIGRANTREALESTATE.COM
M +1 703 407 1600 | DSHAPIRO@TTRSIR.COM
As a TTR Sotheby’s Senior Vice President with 20+ years of experience guiding her clients through a multitude of real estate transactions, Debbie is prepared for anything. She possesses the requisite negotiation skills, knowledge of the law, and familiarity with the Washington Metropolitan real estate environment. Most importantly, Debbie strives to understand the aspirations of her clients which enables her to find them the optimum real estate solution. Debbie has achieved and maintains a stellar reputation with her clients and colleagues, which is demonstrated by her consistent award-winning performance and long-trusted relationships.
M +1 703 405 1016 | SGRANT@TTRSIR.COM
Move beyond your expectations. It can be easy to assume that all real estate agents are the same. The truth is, we’re different— very different. In a world full of doing the minimum, I offer the alternative—where marketing and exposure matters, negotiation, and sales skills matter and where networks, a calm presence and good sense of humor matter. Being different isn’t for everyone, but to me, it is everything as I help my clients sell and buy their homes, as if they were my own. Let’s have a conversation about your real estate plans. 2022 and 2023 Top Producing Agent in the TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Arlington Brokerage.
PREMIERPARTNERSDC.COM
M +1 703 298 8143 | BSHEEHY@TTRSIR.COM
Beth Sheehy proudly assists new and repeat clients with their real estate needs throughout the DC metro area. With over $300m in sales and voted one of Washingtonian Magazine Top 100 agents, Beth strives to make every transaction pleasant, professional and efficient. Beth has lived in Arlington for over 20 years and proudly represents buyers and sellers in all of Arlington’s fine neighborhoods. Beth received her undergrad degree from Miami University (OH) and her Master’s degrees from George Mason and Georgetown University.
Jeffrey Beall
RE/MAX Distinctive
Albert Bitici
KW Metro Center
Bret Brock Brock Realty
Holly Brock Amaya Brock Realty
Erich Cabe
Compass
Shane Canny Long & Foster Arlington
William Close
KW Metro Center
Deborah Davis
RE/MAX Allegiance
Joy Deevy Compass
Gabriel Deukmaji
KW Metro Center
Anne DiBenedetto Compass
James Andors
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Shawn Battle Real Broker
David Cabo
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Karen Close
Century 21 New Millennium
Karina Corell-Mallona
Washington Fine Properties
Candee Currie
Century 21 New Millennium
Chris Earman
Weichert, Realtors McLean
Bethany Ellis
Long & Foster McLean
John Eric Compass
Alexandra Fielding
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Tonya Finlay
KW Metro Center
Martha Floyd
McEnearney Associates - McLean
Chris Fraley
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Sue Goodhart
Compass
Daniel Heider
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Elizabeth Hitt
Compass
Fenny Hurwitz
Keller Williams Realty McLean
John Jorgenson
Long & Foster McLean
Lisa Joy
McEnearney Associates - McLean
Francesca Keith
Avery Hess Realtors
Lynn Kern
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Diane Lewis
Washington Fine Properties
Barbara Lewis
Washington Fine Properties
Liz Lord Compass
Mark Middendorf
Long & Foster Arlington
John Moore
Compass
Nicholas Mullen
RE/MAX Distinctive
Marga Pirozzoli
Compass
Heidi Robbins
Buck and Associates
Laura Schwartz
McEnearney AssociatesMcLean
Roxanne Southern
Samson Properties
George Torres Keller Williams Realty McLean
Ken Trotter
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Mike Webb
RE/MAX Allegiance
Katie Wethman eXp Realty llc
Tracy Williams
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Susan Wisely
Compass
Feven Woldu
RE/MAX Allegiance
Tracey Dillard
Compass
Will Gaskins
KW United-Falls Church
Lilian Jorgenson
Long & Foster McLean
Fahed Khatib
Washington Fine Properties
Casey O’Neal
Compass
Eric Pfeiffer
Washington Fine Properties
Marianne Prendergast
Washington Fine Properties
William Prendergast
Washington Fine Properties
Brian Prendergast
Washington Fine Properties
Kathleen Rehill
RE/MAX Distinctive
Michelle Sagatov
Washington Fine Properties
Diane Schline
Real Broker
Scott Shawkey
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Holly Tennant Billy
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Dean Yeonas
Yeonas & Shafran Real Estate
Piper Yerks
Washington Fine Properties
Sherif Abdalla
Compass
Karen Briscoe
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Jason Cheperdak
Samson Properties
Lizzy Conroy
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Micah Corder
Washington Fine Properties
Mansoora Dar
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Blake Davenport
RLAH @properties
Lisa Dubois
RE/MAX Distinctive
Ali Farhadov
Compass
Rob Ferguson
RE/MAX Allegiance
Tom Francis
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Ted Gossett
Washington Fine Properties
Sheri Grant
TTR Sotheby’s International
Realty
Melissa Larson
RE/MAX Distinctive
David Lloyd
Weichert, Realtors Arlington
Mark Lowham
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Michelle Lynch
Urban Living Real Estate, LLC
Casey Margenau
Casey Margenau Fine Homes
Tori McKinney
KW Metro Center
Laurie Mensing
Long & Foster McLean
Chrissy O’Donnell
RE/MAX Distinctive
Aaron Probasco
Samson Properties
Fred Reitzel
RE/MAX Distinctive
Jennifer Thornett
Washington Fine Properties
Eli Tucker
RLAH @properties
Betsy Twigg
McEnearney Associates - Arlington
Theresa Valencic
Long & Foster McLean
Kris Walker
KW United-Falls Church
Steve Watson
KW Metro Center
Kyle Weitzman
Casey Margenau Fine Homes
Steve Wydler
Compass
Continued on page 134
The AZH Team (6)
Compass
Beall-Rehill Team (3)
RE/MAX Distinctive
Billy Buck & Company (2)
Buck and Associates
The Bitici Group (1)
KW Metro Center
The Casey O’Neal Team (3)
Compass
Chamberlin Brothers Real Estate (3)
McEnearney AssociatesArlington
The Checkmate Group (9)
Century 21 Redwood - Reston Office
Chris Fraley & Associates (4)
Keller Williams Realty McLean
City Smart Living (5)
KW Metro Center
The DDA Team (25)
eXp Realty llc
Dianne Van Volkenburg (5) Long & Foster Great Falls
Alliance Group (3)
TTR Sotheby’s International
Realty
The Battle Group (5)
Real Broker
Bic DeCaro & Associates (7)
eXp Realty llc
Capital Area Homes (9)
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Chrissy & Lisa Team (5)
RE/MAX Distinctive
Close Partners (2)
Century 21 New Millennium
The Davenport Group (10)
RLAH @properties
dopslaff+scruggs (2)
Washington Fine Properties
The Goodhart Group (9)
Compass
The Jean Beatty Group (3)
McEnearney Associates - McLean
Jen Walker Team (5)
McEnearney Associates - Old Town Alexandria
John & Donna Team (2)
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
John Eric + Trevor Moore (3)
Compass
Loughney Residential (2)
Compass
Magnificent Manors Team (3)
KW Metro Center
Marga + Justine (2)
Compass
McFadden Partners (2)
Compass
Dutko Ragen Homes & Investments (12)
KW United-Falls Church
Eli Residential Group (4)
RLAH @properties
Erich Cabe Team (17)
Compass
Francis Real Estate (2)
Keller Williams Realty McLean
The Gaskins Team (4)
KW United-Falls Church
Gold Group (2)
Washington Fine Properties
HBC Group (8)
Keller Williams Realty McLean
Holly Brock Amaya & Bret
Brock (2)
Brock Realty
The Meyers & JB Benson Team (3)
Long & Foster McLean
The Mike Webb Team (3) RE/MAX Allegiance
The Monumental Team (5)
Samson Properties
Moore Homes (3)
Compass
My Move DMV (9)
eXp Realty llc
Neighborhood Real Estate Group (1)
KW Metro Center
Novins & Street (2)
KW United-Falls Church
The One Street Company (29)
Samson Properties
The Pearl Team (3)
RE/MAX Allegiance
Platinum Partners (2)
Compass
Red Door Metro (3)
KW Metro Center
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of team members.
HRL Partners (4)
Washington Fine Properties
JD Callander (3)
Weichert, Realtors McLean
The Keri Shull Team (57)
eXp Realty llc
KH Associates (4)
eXp Realty llc
The Lewis Team (2)
Washington Fine Properties
The Prendergast Team (3)
Washington Fine Properties
The Robert Ferguson Team (3)
RE/MAX Allegiance
Rock Star Realty Group (2)
KW Metro Center
The Redstone Group (16)
Samson Properties
The Reef Team (3)
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Robert & Tyler (4)
Washington Fine Properties
The Seward Group (6)
TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
The Shively Team (5)
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Sullivan Brownell Partners (3)
Washington Fine Properties
The Synergy Group (2)
Compass
Tracy Dillard Team (2)
Compass
The Wilkes McLaren Team (2)
Washington Fine Properties
William Close Group (10)
KW Metro Center
Your P&rtners (7)
Compass
Shepherd Homes Group (23)
Samson Properties
The Sherif and Ali Group (6)
Compass
Talout International (4)
Long & Foster McLean
Thornett + Corder (2)
Washington Fine Properties
Walker Team Realtors (4)
KW United-Falls Church
Watson Homes Group (2)
KW Metro Center
Wydler Brothers of Compass (8)
Compass
The Yerks Team (4)
Washington Fine Properties
OPENING THE DOORS TO SUCCESS FOR YOU!
The pandemic is behind us. Time to take back the dining room.
“PEOPLE HAVE commented how nice my background is,” says Arlington lawyer Anne Walsh. When she Zooms into work meetings from home—and she does, pretty much all day, every day— she’s proud to show off the stylish “salon” on the main floor of the home she and her husband, Adam, bought in Arlington’s Dover-Crystal neighborhood in 2013.
When Covid first arrived, Walsh, like so many others, parked her two monitors on the dining table and co-opted the space as a makeshift office. But once it became clear that remote work was here to stay, she wanted a more permanent solution. And as someone who loves to entertain, she wanted to reclaim her dining room.
Seeking a blend of elegance and functionality, the couple enlisted
Arlington-based Manlove and Co. Interiors to refresh their dining and living rooms, as well as the adjoining center hallway (totaling just over 500 feet).
No walls came down in the makeover; the dark oak hardwood floors stayed, as did the white plantation shutters. Principal designer and CEO Suzanne Manlove brightened both by handpicking area rugs and updating wall and window treatments in a sea of pretty pastels. The tray ceilings, too.
“The space was darker before,” says Manlove. “We wanted to try to bring in as much reflectiveness and light as we could.”
For texture and dimension in the dining room, Manlove papered the ceiling in striking gold-leafed cork, and the walls in a patterned grass cloth. A sleek maple table replaced the owners’ dated
wedding-gift set and is now a centerpiece for working lunches and dinner parties. Two-tone pink-and-white dining chairs by Vanguard Furniture are edged in nailheads.
In the living room—now a salon that includes Walsh’s desk—the same nailhead motif is repeated in a white bouclé sofa by CR Laine, with throw pillows providing a splash of peony pink. (She loves the color and jokes that her husband, also an attorney, had no veto power in this particular matter.) The tray ceiling is painted a soothing teal. A round brass-edged chandelier heightens the glamour.
Two armchairs, also by CR Laine, in a teal velvet and gray Greek key pattern, sit opposite the sofa. Their upholstery echoes the cool blues and grays of the home’s exterior, a detail that was important to the owners for continuity.
“I love it,” Walsh says of the redo. “It’s more formal, but not stuffy. That’s what I was hoping for.” ■
Data provided by Bright MLS and MarketStats for ShowingTime+ as of Jan. 18, 2024. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Which neighborhoods in our area are seeing heavy turnover or rapidly rising home prices? Where are properties selling the fastest? The following chart tracks residential sales for single-family homes, condos and townhouses. You’ll find figures indicating the number of homes sold, average sale price and average days on market in more than 400 neighborhoods in Arlington, Falls Church and McLean from 2019 to 2023. Condo buildings are typically listed as individual subdivisions. The neighborhoods included had at least 15 total sales during the last five years. (However,
the totals for each ZIP code reflect all sales in that ZIP code, not just the totals for the neighborhoods shown.) Because subdivisions entered into the Bright MLS database are not required to follow a standard nomenclature, we have expanded the data set to account for misspellings and inconsistencies in many subdivision names. Real estate agents may also enter sales into the database retroactively. As a result, some of the historical data may vary slightly from the data in previous years’ charts. A designation of “NR” indicates that no sales were reported for that year.
About Bright MLS — 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
About ShowingTime+ — ShowingTime+ is modernizing real estate for the benefit of all agents, brokers and multiple listing services, providing products and services to help deliver elevated experiences. Its technology suite includes Listing Showcase, Listing Media Services, ShowingTime, dotloop, Bridge Interactive and Aryeo.
Awards/Honors:
#1 Compass Team in Virginia
Over $2.5 Billion in Lifetime Sales
Voted “Favorite Son” by Mom
6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22101 703-348-6326 | steve@wydlerbrothers.com www.wydlerbrothers.com
Q: What is your professional and educational background?
A: I graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College and received a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School where I was Associate Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. I continue to have an insatiable curiosity and love of learning. My post-educational professional journey has been shaped by a passion for delivering exceptional service and staying at the forefront of market trends.
Q: What benefits do you provide your clients?
A: I’m passionate about keeping my clients wellinformed and helping them “see around corners.” The biggest challenge is dealing with factors beyond our control, such as inventory levels and people’s emotions. I view my role as a “deep rudder,” and I help clients make intelligent and well-informed decisions.
Q: What makes you different from other real estate agents?
A: What sets me apart is a combination of three things: my extensive local knowledge and network built over 20 years in the business, a deep understanding of the home buying and selling process, and my savvy negotiation skills helping our clients achieve their goals. With me and my team at their side, our clients have optimized their chances of achieving their real estate goals.
In addition, embracing the latest technology and data analytics allows me to provide clients with real-time market insights, find off-market opportunities for our buyers and enhance our listings so that they achieve maximum exposure. This ensures a seamless and modern experience, enhancing their journey in the ever-evolving real estate landscape.
Awards/Honors:
Arlington Magazine Top Producer 2019-2024
Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Real Estate Agent 2024
Real Trends, America’s Best, 2019-2023
Washingtonian Top Agent, 2018-2023
Northern Virginia Magazine Best Real Estate Agent 2019-2023
4100 Fairfax Drive, Suite 250, Arlington, VA 22203 703-402-9361 | michelle.sagatov@wfp.com
michelle.sagatov.com
Q: What is your niche market as a Realtor?
A: We are new construction experts! As industry leading experts in the fields of real estate transactions, architectural design and construction, my group and I bring a deep level of experience, confidence and creativity to every client we partner with. The results speak for themselves in the quality of our work and satisfaction of our clients.
We help our clients navigate the often confusing and frustrating maze of new construction. We help them interview builders, look over plans and spec sheets, and assist them throughout the whole process until they move in. Our expertise and experience in building, construction, lot acquisition and real estate—honed through decades in the business—has been a great fit for many buyers who are looking to build their next home but do not know where to start.
Q: What is your 2023 takeaway?
A: The close of 2023 marked 18 years as a Realtor in the DMV. One thing I am proud of is the vetted industry partnerships I have developed during my years in the business. When my clients hire me to help them buy or sell, they are getting my 18 years of experience coupled with other industry leaders in the lending world, settlement space, home inspectors, contractors, etc. My connections and partnerships have proven to be very instrumental for my clients throughout the buying and selling processes. These partnerships are a value-add to my business and my clients reap the benefits when they work with me.
BICYCLING REALTY GROUP
KW METRO CENTER ARLINGTON
Licensed in VA, MD and D.C.
Awards/Honors:
Arlington Magazine “Top Producer” 2024
Washingtonian “The Face of Real Estate” 2024
Washingtonian “Top Agent” 2023
Northern Virginia Magazine “Best and Top Producing Real Estate Agent Winner”2023
Virginia Living “Top Realtor” 2023
Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Real Estate Agent 2022
2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1050, Arlington, VA 22201 703-224-6000 (o) | 703-819-4915 (c) natalieuroy@gmail.com | www.bicyclingrealty.com
Q: How did Bicycling Realty Group come to be?
A: After years of running non-profit organizations, I found real estate to be a natural fit, since it is fundamentally a service industry. I learned that I love the challenge of helping people deal with the biggest financial decisions most will ever make. I brought my environmental ethic and energy into the business and, voila, Bicycling Realty Group was born.
Q: What makes you stand out in this crowded marketplace?
A: My team of highly motivated professionals offers clients a unique service: house hunting via bicycle. There is no better way to get to know a community than to bike or walk through it. But don’t worry—if you’d prefer to
go by car or metro, that works too! Most importantly, our energetic team is committed to getting every client to the finish line with a smile on their face.
Q: What is the key to being a good Realtor?
A: Real estate is personal. It is all about relationships, meaning it is critical to find the right fit, whether it is house hunting and finding that perfect neighborhood or choosing a real estate agent to sell your home. I take that to heart in my business. I walk clients through what can seem a daunting process, answering questions such as: Are we in a housing bubble? Will prices keep increasing? Am I better off waiting to sell? While these are all great questions, and we answer them as best we can, no one has a crystal ball.
Century 21 New Millennium 5904 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22205
Karen: 703-517-9477 | karen.close@C21nm.com karenclose.c21nm.com
Candee: 703-203-6005 | candee@c21nm.com candeecurrie.c21nm.com
Q: What is your approach to real estate and to working with clients?
A: We maintain the highest ethical standards in all we do. Because honesty, transparency and integrity are our priorities, our clients can trust us as their respected advocates. Staying au currant with the markets in which we work is vital. Our continual research of property values, trends and neighborhood fluctuations empowers both our buyers and sellers to make informed decisions that culminate in their success.
Q: Is real estate a full-time job? How much of your time do you dedicate to your clients?
A: As well-established, full-time agents, we devote our time, share our knowledge and demonstrate our expertise—from the first time we meet to the successful conclusion of each transaction. We are by your side every step of the way. We negotiate with an expertise that only comes with time and dedication in the field. The relationships we have established with other professionals in the business bring to bear invaluable resources and connections that greatly benefit our clients. Close partnership is our brand.
Q: What is the most significant change in real estate during your career?
A: In our opinion, the most significant innovation is the integration of technology—data analytics, online platforms, virtual tours, digital marketing and electronic signing. But technology has its limits. Our expertise and knowledge allow us to synthesize new information and use technology to deliver meaningful, superior advice. By guiding your transaction to avoid unnecessary obstacles, we save clients time and money, culminating in winning outcomes.
CLASSIC COTTAGES
Michelle Lynch is the sales manager of local custom home builder Classic Cottages and broker of Urban Living Real Estate LLC. Michelle has sold over 300 homes over the last 12 years and continues to be an invaluable asset to buyers looking to purchase a home, particularly within the new construction industry.
433 E Monroe Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22301 703-844-9936 sales@ccottages.com www.ccottages.com
Q: Why should a prospective client choose to work with Classic Cottages?
A: As a custom home builder in the D.C. area, Classic Cottages is passionate about building high-quality homes that meet modern lifestyle needs. We work with our clients to design functional living spaces that will benefit them for years to come. At the end of the day, it is not about just building a house, it is about creating a home. To do this, we focus on creating a trusting relationship with our homeowners that will last a lifetime. Our goal is for friends and family to visit the homes we have built, experience the quality and craftsmanship, and call us to build their dream homes.
Q: How do you personally serve your clients?
A: As the sales manager for Classic
Cottages and broker for Urban Living Real Estate LLC, I collaborate with all departments to ensure each home’s contract is clear and concise, documenting each and every detail, especially those that make the home truly one-of-a-kind. It is my pleasure and honor to get to know our clients and provide trustworthy guidance throughout the building experience. Recently, we have experienced an increase in outof-state residents moving to northern Virginia, including our D.C. neighbors who are looking for more space and lifestyle conveniences such as driveways, garages, home offices and sizeable backyards. As a longtime resident of Virginia, I enjoy educating families on the many attributes of our beautiful, amenityrich Arlington neighborhoods and officially welcoming them home to Virginia.
THE ARLINGTON EXPERT
Awards/Honors:
Arlington Magazine Top Producer 2019-2024
Best of Washingtonian 2015-2023
Best of Northern Virginia Magazine 2016-2024
5 star ratings on Google, Zillow and Yelp
KW Metro Center
2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1050 Arlington, VA 22201 703-217-2077
renata@thearlingtonexpert.com www.thearlingtonexpert.com
Q: What makes you different from other real estate agents?
A: My big focus is Arlington real estate. Most agents seem to specialize in large geographical areas—that’s not me. I don’t believe you can be an expert in everything. I love Arlington so much. When I emigrated from Lithuania 26 years ago, I could’ve chosen any city. I visited many, yet Arlington is the place where I belong. So many people are looking for their home— not just in the sense of a structure, but in a place they feel connected to.
Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?
A: It has to be home staging transformations! My home stager and I work very hard to prepare homes for the market and showcase them in the best possible light. We follow the latest
design trends, make a plan for today’s buyer and walk people through their own HGTV experience. Every Tuesday I post a #tuesdaytransformation on my social media to showcase the drastic “before and after.” Nothing is more satisfying than “I can’t believe it’s my home!” coming from the seller. (I’ll admit their reaction when we get them the best possible sales price is pretty satisfying too.)
Q: What are your interests outside of work?
A: I’m a mom of two amazing kids and my life revolves around them. I love adventure—so we ski, go camping and travel. On the weekends you will find me in the bleachers for soccer and basketball games. When I’m not spending time with my children, I enjoy reading, journaling, dining with my close friends, dancing and learning anything new.
CENTURY 21 NEW MILLENNIUM
5904 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22205 703-328-0532
Ann: ann@annwilsonhomes.com
Sean: sean@annwilsonhomes.com
AnnWilsonHomes.com
Q: What’s new at Ann Wilson Homes?
A: I am thrilled to be celebrating my 20th year of business in the Arlington real estate market as of January of this year. Whether you’re buying or selling, you’re in the hands of a seasoned professional who knows how to navigate the complexities of each individual transaction as well as the overall changing market.
In the current dynamic market, having a Realtor with my skills and experience is paramount. My team stands by our commitment to our clients long after the closing table. Whether you need a home repair contractor, advice on what home renovations to take on or simply a check-in on what your home is worth in the current market, we are always here to help!
THE LEWIS TEAM
WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES
Awards/Honors:
$20M+ Sold, 2023
Arlington Magazine Top Producer, 2024
Washingtonian’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents, 2023 Real Trends 2023, Ranked #14 in Virginia
1364 Beverly Road, Suite 100 McLean, VA 22101 703-973-7001
diane@lewisteam.com www.lewisteam.com
Q: Is there a secret to your success?
A: People appreciate my honesty. I always tell my clients the truth, even if it isn’t something they want to hear. They also know I will go the extra mile to ensure they achieve successful outcomes. I’ve been selling real estate in the North Arlington market for over 20 years, and 98% of my business comes from repeat clients and referrals. I believe transparency, integrity, hard work and experience are paramount to my success.
“The Battle Group are project managers, real estate experts and marketing geniuses. They pulled off what I thought would be impossible and had my house renovated, staged and on the market in record time. I had six offers within a couple days and my house sold well above the asking price. They are the best in the business!”
1765 Greensboro Station Place, Suite 900 McLean, VA 22102 703-999-8108
shawn@thebattlegroup.com www.thebattlegroup.com
Q: What’s the biggest challenge that Arlington home sellers face in 2024?
A: Arlington home sellers face the challenge of meeting heightened buyer expectations for HGTV-ready homes, while also managing seller expectations for bidding wars reminiscent of 2020. With declining interest rates, buyers are eagerly awaiting new listings, adding pressure on potential sellers to navigate pricing, align with buyer expectations and contend with the surge of properties entering the market this spring.
Q: What makes you different than other real estate agents?
A: With over 33,000 YouTube subscribers, 600+ Arlington real estate videos and over 200 episodes of The Shawn and Matt Show podcast, The Battle Group prides itself on education and online marketing. While many agents claim to market your property, our online visibility routinely leads
to our clients’ properties being showcased to tens of thousands of targeted viewers, ensuring maximum exposure.
The real estate industry is all about attention. Whoever has the attention wins. When you choose The Battle Group, your property will not only be marketed, it will stand out and command the attention it deserves in today’s competitive real estate landscape.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake Arlington home sellers make?
A: The most common error Arlington home sellers make is mispricing. Instead of aligning with perceived property value, sellers should leverage the listing price strategically to generate buyer interest and motivation. Overpricing discourages potential buyers, while an enticing price can lead to multiple offers, ultimately resulting in a higher net price and better contracts.
MCENEARNEY ASSOCIATES
Licensed in VA and D.C.
3135 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 703-525-1900 | spicot@mcenearney.com
sarahpicot.net
Q: What is your super power?
A: Keeping all heads cool even when problems arise. I want to make clients happy and get them to the closing table with as few bumps as possible. When there are problems, my clients know I will work well with everyone involved to problem-solve and get to closing.
Q: What is the one thing that your clients should know about you?
A: How your home looks when it hits the market and how it is presented to the market is important to me. Therefore, I am going to be in your home the weeks leading up to it going live and ensuring that the painters, contractors, stagers, landscapers and cleaners are all doing what they need to do to ensure your house will stand out.
MARIANNE PRENDERGAST WILL PRENDERGAST
Marianne: 703-626-7500 | Marianne@ThePrendergastTeam.com Will: 703-434-2711 | Will@ThePrendergastTeam.com www.theprendergastteam.com
Q: What sets The Prendergast Team apart from the competition?
A: For more than 30 years, The Prendergast Team has provided unparalleled service, maintained the highest level of integrity and delivered outstanding results. Our team’s deep knowledge of the D.C. metro real estate market goes beyond licensing. We are ranked among the Top 200 Real Estate Teams nationwide by The Wall Street Journal and have been in the top 1% of Realtors for 30 consecutive years. Additionally, our team is regularly recognized with “Best Realtor” awards regionally by various publications including Arlington, Washingtonian and Northern Virginia magazines. What we are truly known for is stellar service and exceptional results. From first-time home buyers to empty nesters, The Prendergast Team provides a hands-on, personalized approach to each client.
BUCK & ASSOCIATES
Awards/Honors:
CRS (Certified Residential Specialist); CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist); Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR), Lifetime Top Producer; Chair, NVAR Professionalism & Ethics Advisory Group 2024; Arlington Magazine Top Producers 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024; Washingtonian Top Real Estate Agents 20172023; Virginia Magazine Top Real Estate Agents 2018-2023; Zillow 5 Star Agent
2519 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201
703-582-7779
donna@buckrealtors.com
www.DonnaHamaker.com
Q: What are your clients saying about you?
A: Recent clients Daniel & Julia Rossi share their experience:
“Donna was a dream to work with. She truly advocates for her clients and has so much institutional knowledge about the DMV. She’s trustworthy, super responsive, kind and can make home-buying enjoyable even in the most stressful markets. She is also a great listener and wants the best for her clients. We fully endorse Donna and can’t wait to move into our dream home, thanks to her.”
Q: What is the one thing that your clients should know about you?
A: It’s not about me—it’s about my clients. It’s about taking the time to genuinely listen to their needs, wants and concerns. Now in my 17th year as
a Realtor, I have had the experience of working through and, even more importantly, negotiating in many types of real estate markets—and I bring those skills and that knowledge to every client and every situation.
Q: What are your interests outside of work?
A: As a travel, music and photography enthusiast, I enjoy life to the fullest with our growing family and our two funny Maine Coon kitties, Miss Fluffkins and Olivia. Giving back to the community with New Hope Housing, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is especially meaningful to me. And being active in the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and a member of Leadership Arlington gives me an “ear to the ground” to better serve my clients!
Awards/Honors:
RE/MAX—Top 1% in DC Metro Area & Nation; NVAR Top Producer; Washingtonian Top-Selling Agents; Arlington Magazine Top Producers
710 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046 703-821-1842 (o) | 703-372-9191 (c) info@chrissyandlisa.com | chrissyandlisa.com
Q: How would your clients describe you?
A: “We felt supported and informed every step of the way,” praises one client. Another lauds our negotiation finesse—”The Chrissy & Lisa Team secured a deal we thought impossible!” We are more than just transactions: “Choosing The Chrissy & Lisa Team isn’t just buying a house, it’s investing in a relationship,” explains a home buyer. Elevate your real estate experience: contact The Chrissy & Lisa Team today for a trusted partnership that transcends the ordinary.
RE/MAX DISTINCTIVE
Awards/Honors:
Top Agent for Volume, RE/MAX Distinctive, 2021
Arlington Magazine Top Vote Getter, Best Real Estate Agent 2022, 2024
Arlington Magazine Top Producer 2019-2024
Washingtonian Top Agent 2015, 2018-2021
Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Lifetime Top Producer
6846 Elm St., McLean, VA 22101 703-731-2313 | laurenreardon.remaxdistinctive.com
Q: What was your favorite transaction?
A: In a challenging yet rewarding transaction, I led a family from Old Town to a dream home in Rosemont, adeptly navigating a government shutdown, financing complexities and emotional support, ensuring their successful move.
Q: When is the right time to buy or sell a home?
A: The right time is when you’re ready. It’s hard not to worry about the market and interest rate changes. However, when you have someone that’s got your back and is an expert at what they do, there’s never a wrong time!
Awards/Honors:
#1 Individual Agent at the
#1 Individual Brokerage in Arlington and Fairfax Counties
Arlington Magazine Top Producers 2019-2023
Washingtonian Top Agent 2018-2023
Top 1% of Realtors Nationwide
5 Star Rated Agent Zillow and Realtor.com
6820 Elm St. McLean, VA 22101 703-636-7300
David@DavidCabo.com
www.DavidCabo.com
Q: How would your clients describe you?
A: Common words used in my testimonials include: “helpful, quick, honest, knowledgeable and competitive.” One client summed it up by saying, “David is a moral shark—he is going to advocate and be aggressive for his client while maintaining an honest, strong character.” I take my fiduciary responsibility seriously and look for opportunities to go the extra mile to get the best deal possible for my sellers and buyers.
Q: What makes you different from other real estate agents?
A: Over the last 10 years, I have knocked on about 20,000 doors in North Arlington. It is a very “old school” approach in an age where many people rely too much on computers. It has been the most fun part of my job. Arlingtonians have been very
welcoming and have taken my approach as evidence of a proactive work ethic. These conversations have provided me with a robust knowledge of the nuances of specific neighborhoods and streets, and they have even given me advance knowledge of properties not yet on the market.
Q: What is your favorite pastime?
A: Traditionally, international travel and surfing. These days, I feel blessed when spending quality time with my lovely wife Rosina and our four young kids. Having studied and lived in several countries provided me with experiences relating to other cultures. I also organized and hosted events for A-list clientele in Manhattan and the Hamptons, which gave me vast experience in white-glove service. I still love throwing parties, and I look forward to your invites.
Awards/Honors:
Washingtonian Top Agent List
Washingtonian Face of First Time Home Buyers
Northern Virginia Magazine Top Real Estate Agents
Arlington Magazine Top Real Estate Producers
2000 Duke St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-655-7672 | katie@MyMoveDMV.com www.MyMoveDMV.com
Q: How would your clients describe your team?
A: Clients describe us as detailed and processoriented, and often look back and say they can’t believe how smooth everything was! Our experience means that we can identify potential issues before they happen. Our outstanding team approaches each client as if we’re taking care of family, giving honest advice even if it means that we don’t get any immediate business. We’re confident that by doing the right thing, our business will continue to grow.
BUCK & ASSOCIATES
“I don’t have enough good things to say about Heidi. While other Realtors failed to pay attention to our needs, Heidi always was perfectly responsive.” —Mike and Katie, buyers 2519 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 571-296-2312 (c) 703-528-2288 (o) heidi@heidirobbins.realtor buckrealtors.com/associate/heidi-robbins/
Q: What’s an example of something in your professional life that you’re particularly proud of?
A: This year marks my 11th year in real estate. After moving around the world 12 times in 20 years as a military spouse, I’m proud of having been able to assist over 480 families with their relocation. I’m now the principal broker at Buck & Associates. Working for a small brokerage is so rewarding. All our agents are like family.
Licensed in VA, D.C., MD
“Hala is outstanding. She is a combination of professionalism, experience, honesty, resourcefulness and excellence. Her advice is pinpoint accurate as she knows the market by heart. You will always feel you are in the safest and most capable hands. Simply, she is the best Realtor® in town!” — R.S.
6849 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 400 McLean, VA 22101 703-980-4041
hala@halaadra.com halaadra.com
Q: What makes you stand out in this competitive marketplace?
A: As an associate broker with almost 30 years of experience, I can offer extensive insights into the entire DMV area—from the manicured sidewalks of McLean to the bustling streets of D.C. and the scenic pathways of Bethesda.
I know that buying or selling is a transformative life milestone, one that’s often defined by numerous complexities and challenges. My mission is to see that my clients achieve their real estate goals. By helping them navigate every potential roadblock, I get to see their dreams become reality. Whether guiding out-of-area buyers or seasoned sellers, I am a dedicated advocate for every client, always putting their best interests first. The results I’ve achieved are proof of my success: 90% of my business is repeat and referral-based.
Q: What do you love about your job, and what do you find most rewarding?
A: What I love about my work is the fact that no deal is like any other. That makes it more exciting and far from boring. There is always a new situation, a new challenge to win. I love that!
The most rewarding part is watching my clients get across the finish line. When they achieve their goals successfully, they will never forget who got them there. I love making a positive difference in my clients’ lives. Get in touch today and let me guide you through an exceptional real estate experience.
THE DIANE SCHLINE GROUP REAL BROKER
1765 Greensboro Station Place, Suite 900 McLean, VA 22102 Mobile 703-258-9439
diane@theschlinegroup.com
IG and FB: thedianeschlinegroup
Q: How would you define your personal “brand” as a Realtor?
A: My brand leans heavily toward client education and, in turn, empowerment to make informed decisions. I consider myself a trusted real estate adviser and friend more so than a real estate salesperson, and the sale of real estate is a byproduct of a strong professional relationship with each client. I’m passionate about doing things the right way and treating people the right way, two cornerstones of my business. In my 17-year career, I’ve grown my client base through long-term repeat clients and personal referrals. I continually strive to be a genuine, life-long resource to each and every person I assist and to ultimately elevate the industry.
DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE
“We were thoroughly impressed. A professional who gets the job done! They expertly handled the negotiations with several simultaneous offers to get us the best deal and masterfully executed every part of our transaction.”
3100 Clarendon Blvd., 2nd Floor, Arlington, VA 22201 703-552-4180 (o) | 703-930-0268 (c) www.theshivelyteam.com
Q: What can clients expect working with The Shively Team?
A: Helping clients successfully purchase a new home in the competitive Metro D.C. real estate market takes experience and skill. The Shively Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate has plenty of both. We incorporate the latest state-of-the-art industry technology and unparalleled customer service to provide our clients with unsurpassed attention and care for each individual’s needs. Blending sound advice with up-to-date information, we guide our clients through their journey to achieve their desired goals.
Awards/Honors:
NVAR Top Producer’s Club 2018-2022
Washingtonian’s Top Real Estate Agent 2022
Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Real Estate Agent 2020-2022
Modern Luxury DC Magazine’s Top 50 Real Estate Agents, 2022-2023
Modern Luxury DC Magazine’s Top Luxury Real Estate Leaders, 2023
Over $50 Million in Residential Real Estate Sold!
8315 Lee Highway, Suite 430, Fairfax, VA 22031 703-409-3126
vnguyen@vienguyenred.com www.vienguyenrealestate.com
Q: Why should potential clients choose to work with you?
A: I’ve aimed to create a real estate concierge service for my clients—a one-stop shop per se, someone they can depend on to give them accurate information or provide them with the right people to work with (contractors, lenders, etc.). I’ve vetted and carefully chosen the people I work with over the years to ensure they meet my high standards so I can confidently recommend them to my clients.
Building valuable and trusting relationships with clients has been the key to my success as a top producer and soughtafter agent. I curate thoughtful plans based on my client’s individual needs, goals and situations. I believe in empowering my clients by accurately educating them through honest communication, taking the time to listen
and understand, and putting in the effort to explain the details throughout the process. Whether helping a first-time home buyer, an experienced seller or an investor, protecting my clients’ best interests and making their entire experience as stressfree, seamless and enjoyable as possible remains a top priority.
Q: What are satisfied clients saying about you?
A: I love my clients…and they love me! Here’s what one happy client had to say: “Vie helped us sell our house and buy one within a month. She made the impossible possible and her patience, tenacity, kindness, reassurance, availability and just overall personality couldn’t be more amazing! Vie is the most professional, accomplished and understanding agent you could ever find or ask for.”
Lilian has sold over 2,420 homes for a value of over $1.8 billion in 39 years of real estate. “If it is to be, it is up to me!”
1355 Beverly Road, Suite 109, McLean, VA 22101
703-790-1990
lilian@lnf.com
www.Lilian.com
Q: What led you to become a Realtor?
A: I love people, houses and selling houses to people. Growing up selling in my family’s grocery store in a small town in Denmark, I still rely upon the concepts of integrity and service I learned from working with my parents. I especially love seeing my clients’ smiles and happiness when we help them buy or sell a home with a smooth transaction.
6846 Elm St., McLean, VA 22101 | 703-403-1064
Jeffrey@beallrehill.com | Alexandra@beallrehill.com
Kathy@beallrehill.com | www.beallrehill.com
Q: To what do you attribute your success in this competitive marketplace?
A: We work together as a full-service team to achieve excellent results for our clients. In addition to being Realtors®, we’ve been raising children, renovating our own houses, and volunteering in our Arlington neighborhoods and schools for several decades. This wealth of local knowledge translates into smooth and profitable transactions for our buyers and sellers. We can help a buyer find just the right home at any price point in Arlington and the greater Northern Virginia area. For our sellers, we make sure their homes are perfectly prepared and priced for this Arlington market. A satisfied client put it best: “After going through what is traditionally a very painful process, you made selling our home stress-free, reassuring and ultimately profitable.”
CHENEY & CO.
WASHINGTON FINE PROPERTIES
Awards/Honors:
Licensed Broker in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland
MS in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University (MSRE)
Certified New Home Marketing Professional (CMP) Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI)
3201 New Mexico Ave., Suite 220, Washington, D.C. 20016 202-465-0707 | Matt.Cheney@wfp.com
MattSold.com | IG: @matt.cheney
Q: Why should potential clients work with you?
A: As a trusted client advocate for two decades, I have skillfully guided buyers and sellers through more than a thousand successful transactions. My calm personality and razor-sharp negotiation prowess ensure success in a competitive high-end market. My clients benefit from my savvy marketing skills, discretion and vast local knowledge. My promotional toolkit includes effective online marketing and targeted social media placement. My passion for video production brings next-level exposure to sellers’ properties.
Awards/Honors:
Arlington Magazine Top Producer 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024; Bethesda Magazine Top Producing Real Estate Team, 2018, 2020-2024; Washingtonian “Best of” 2015-2021, Top Agents 2019, 2020-2023
From left: Pam Rich, Robert Crawford, Tyler Jeffrey, Abby Schulten, Mike Favazzo
5101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20016 202-746-2319 | robertandtylerdc@gmail.com
www.robertandtyler.com
Q: What differentiates you from other area Realtors?
A: We are very proud of our sales records and accolades, but our core focus has always been on the client experience. Our team takes great pride in providing specialized customer service, access to invaluable vendor relationships and unparalleled market knowledge. We also take great pride in our broad knowledge of the region, which can be extremely helpful in a competitive landscape like the one in Arlington.
Chef Enrique Limardo puts whimsical twists on casual classics at his new restaurant in National Landing.BY DAVID HAGEDORN | PHOTOS BY DEB LINDSEY
A RICE-PAPER BUBBLE the size of a melon makes its way through the dining room to our table, appearing to float above a bowl of poke. Following our server’s instructions, I smash the pillow with a fork to reveal a swath of nori tucked inside. The idea is to use the seaweed and pieces of crispy rice paper as crackers for scooping up the poke—a color ful mélange of sushi-grade tuna, jalapeno, avocado and mango dressed with tamarind, soy sauce, sesame oil and togarashi.
I happily oblige while sipping on a drink called Parallel Universe Passion, a pisco sour enhanced with brandy, rosemary and allspice and topped with frothy egg white.
I’m at Surreal, the playful homage to diner fare that chef Enrique Limardo opened in December in National Landing. Limardo, 48, hails from Caracas, Venezuela. After garnering a reputation for culinary whimsy as executive chef of Baltimore’s Alma Cocina Latina, he decamped to Washington, D.C., and joined forces with business partner Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger to open Seven Reasons, which
Esquire magazine in 2019 named “Best New Restaurant in America.” Today, their Seven Reasons Group (7RG) operates six restaurants in the DMV (the goal is to end up with seven). Among them is Imperfecto, which earned a Michelin star in 2022. Limardo was a James Beard Award Best Chef Mid-Atlantic semifinalist last year.
When developer JBG Smith approached Limardo in 2021 about anchoring the 1-acre park in front of its office complex along Crystal Drive with a restaurant, the chef already had a name and concept in mind. “Surreal is a superpowerful name,” he says. “I wanted to transform the American dining experience into something globally inspired but elevated and more creative.”
For this ambitious undertaking, Limardo rethinks popular American fare—such as burgers, pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches, barbecue, hot dogs and, yes, Hawaiian poke— using his Latin frame of reference. Daniel Lozano, formerly of Lincoln Restaurant in D.C., serves as Surreal’s head chef.
Limardo has a snazzy space in which to bring his fanci-
2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington 703-249-9618
sevenreasonsgroup.com/surreal
Sunday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Valet parking available for $8.
Salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes: $16 to $24
Pizzas: $16 to $22
Entrée-type dishes: $27 to $31
Desserts: $13 to $16
Beverage director Carlos Boada’s drinks menu features 18 craft cocktails, 15 of which are booze-based ($13 to $17) while the other three are zero-proof ($10 to $12). The Café Bombon, made with rum, Licor 43, espresso and Dalgona coffee, is an interpretation of an espresso martini that does double duty as a liquid dessert.
Boada’s extensive wine list of nearly 50 bottles favors European and American selections, but also includes offerings from South America, Oceania and the Middle East. Bottles range from $50 for a rosé to $310 for a Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2021. Fourteen wines are available by the glass ($11 to $18). Most of the nine beer offerings are $7.
ful vision to life. Valentina Story, 7RG’s creative director, and OOAK Architects have turned the interiors into an urban oasis. The prime real estate in the center of the dining room is a magical mini jungle of soaring greenery with pendant lights shaped like trapezes, mod furniture and speckled terrazzo floors. Bubbly white chandeliers near the large open kitchen resemble clouds.
Natural light from floor-to-ceiling glass doors floods the 5,500-square-foot space (which seats 90, plus another 20 at an enormous stone bar and 22 in a private dining room). In good weather,
those doors can be opened up to create a seamless connection to an adjoining 2,500-square-foot outdoor plaza, which includes a small park and a 100seat patio.
The setting makes a dazzling first impression, but there are some mixed messages at Surreal. Most of the food items hover around $20 and are meant to be playful and diner-like. By contrast, the least expensive bottle of wine is $50, and many of the wine selections are priced well over $100. That doesn’t jibe with the diner concept. (I do welcome the valet parking, though, as there is little street parking in the area.)
Surreal’s menu has 25 items, including seven pizzas, but it doesn’t use headings to differentiate between appetizers and entrées. A good way to start, especially for a table of three or four, is to order a pizza as an appetizer.
I opted for the Mortadella Lover’s because I am one. Topped with mortadella, porchetta, cherry tomatoes, anchovies, kalamata olives and mozzarella cheese, it’s a delightful amalgam of saltiness and richness. Limardo says the 12-inch pies, made with dough fermented for 24 hours and baked in deck ovens, are a combination of Neapolitan and New York styles. The dough—and therefore the pizza—is good but not
amazing; it needs more delicacy and less chewiness.
Limardo’s interpretation of Caesar salad is a stunner. It’s a whole head of hydroponic Salanova lettuce, spread out like a flower and topped with fried capers and creamy anchovy dressing. Chunks of brined, baked and dehydrated rice noodles coated with Parmesan cheese stand in for croutons.
Another snap-worthy offering is the swordfish carpaccio, a kaleidoscopic display of thinly sliced, cured fish loin topped with guacamole mayonnaise, radishes, black olives and capers, and garnished with a fiery red ring of crushed, spicy totopos (think Flamin’ Hot Doritos, clearly a reference point). The drawback: There’s so much going on, visually and flavor-wise, that the swordfish literally disappears.
Many of the dishes at Surreal, though tasty, could stand to lose an accessory or two, as Coco Chanel so famously advised. Perfectly cooked Hok-
kaido scallops seared in brown butter rest on an overabundance of sweet corn cream and are topped with an overly salty apple bacon jam. What is billed as a Nashville brisket sandwich—featuring house-made corned beef, rather than the barbecued beef brisket I was expecting—comes stuffed with a broccoli salad with dried cranberries that should have been a side dish. (I, for one, do not want broccoli on a sandwich.)
However, one item that shines in its extra-ness is the bacon-wrapped footlong Boomdog, a thick beef sausage, ample enough for two to share.
“In Venezuela, we are crazy about hot dogs. They’re like a bomb with 10 sauces and 20 garnishes,” explains Limardo. In that case, Surreal’s version, tucked into a potato roll with fried garlic, “crazy” sauce laced with hot peppers, Napa cabbage slaw and melted Oaxaca cheese, is a deliciously messy exercise in restraint.
Curiously, the dishes I’m drawn to the most at Surreal are the simplest: bucatini with ultra-tender meatballs and an excellent marinara sauce; a double cheddar cheeseburger; and steak frites with a compound butter of tarragon, rosemary, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco.
On the sweet side, corporate pastry chef Genesis Flores and Surreal’s pastry chef, Barbara Whettell, have assembled an intriguing dessert list. An upside-down cake with rum- and vanilla-soaked pound cake on the bottom and flan on the top is served with coconut ice cream, passion fruit coulis and dried pineapple crackers. It tastes like a luxurious stay in a tropical resort.
The chocolate lava cake with almond crumble and toffee is as dreamy as it sounds, and it becomes even better when spooned onto the soft-serve vanilla ice cream that accompanies it. The effect is like a hot fudge sundae. You could almost call it surreal. ■
One bite of the Salted Caramel Mocha cookie from Baked Goods by Jessica and I’m convinced it’s the best cookie I’ve ever tasted. The dough is made with espresso butter, chopped milk chocolate and espresso chips, and the hefty treat is filled with salted caramel and crowned with a chewy caramel topping that reminds me of the Sugar Daddy candy bars I loved as a child. But then I try the Boozy Gooey, made with brown butter dough, bourbon, roasted pecans, three kinds of chocolate chips and flecked with Maldon salt, and I start to reconsider my ranking.
Jessica Ogle started her cookie business in 2021 as a creative outlet to balance out her day job as a commercial insurance agent for nonprofits. She runs it out of the Falls Church home she shares with her husband and two teen boys.
Born and raised in Arlington (she’s a Yorktown High School alumna), Ogle started baking as a little girl, helping out with the holiday goodies. By middle school, her family had designated her as one of the official Thanksgiving pie makers.
Most of her cookies are about 4 ounces with surprise fillings. The Birthday Party, made with cake batter dough, white chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles, is filled with a bright pink birthday cake pop. A divine Churro cookie of cinnamon brown sugar dough with cinnamon baking chips is filled with dulce de leche.
Other flavors in her repertoire include Red Velvet Stuffed Brownie, Cereal Killer and Chocolate Chaos, as well as a gluten- and dairy-free Oatmeal Cream Pie. Custom boxes (about $4 per cookie) are available online and can be shipped or picked up in front of Ogle’s home. bakedgoodsbyjessica.com
ORDER THIS now
In December, Long Shot Hospitality, the team behind The Salt Line, opened Ometeo, a behemoth ode to Tex-Mex cooking at Capital One Center in Tysons. (Ometeo means “two gods” in Nahuatl, referring here to Texas and Mexico.) Long Shot partner and chef Kyle Bailey teamed up with Austin-based chef Gabe Erales—the Season 18 winner of Top Chef—to create the restaurant’s seafood-leaning menu. I’m crazy for the aguachile ($19), a dish of thinly sliced raw scallops resting in a verdant purée of cucumber, lime juice, cilantro, tomatillos, serrano peppers and garlic, and garnished with avocado, radishes and red onions. It’s a delightfully refreshing balance of sweetness, herbaceousness, heat and acid. ometeotexmex.com
Few things are more satisfying than a plate of plump dumplings, which makes the November opening of Tiger Dumplings in Clarendon something to celebrate. The menu features 13 kinds of steamed or soup dumplings, plus a trio of crispy-bottomed pot stickers, with most priced around $12 per order. Other offerings on the (mostly) Northern Chinese menu include soups, rice and noodle dishes, and appetizers such as Chengdu-style cold poached chicken in hot oil ($9.95) and Shanghai braised roast duck ($15.95).
Chef-owner Leopold Liao was born in Inner Mongolia, but lived in Beijing until he was 14, when he immigrated to Arlington to live with his godfather. He began working in the restaurant business in high school and developed a passion for it. After graduating from H-B Woodlawn, he started a dumpling food truck in 2010 called Hot People (now closed). Other projects followed, among them Reren Lamen in D.C. (since sold) and Asian Origin in Tysons (now closed).
Liao lives in Arlington with his wife, Lauren, and three children. He chose Clarendon for his latest venture to be close to home, naming the 3,000-square-foot, 75-seat restaurant as a nod to his youngest daughter, who was born in 2022, the Year of the Tiger. Hungry guests can watch the dumplings being made, with fillings such as pork and chive; shrimp and celery; lamb and carrot; or pork and corn. A fancy upgrade ($24.95) features Wagyu beef and truffle.
“They are northern-style dumplings with thin skins,” says Liao. “In the U.S., people think of dumplings as an appetizer, but in Northern China, they’re an entrée. We eat them at every holiday and family gathering.” That’s a tradition we can get behind. tigerdumplings.com
A Modo Mio Pizzeria
5555 Langston Blvd., 703-532-0990, amodomio pizza.com. Dig into authentic Neapolitan pies, house-made gnocchi, lasagna, spaghetti del mare and cannoli. o L D V $$
Aladdin Sweets & Tandoor
5169 Langston Blvd., 703-533-0077. Chef Shiuli Rashid and her husband, Harun, prepare family recipes from their native Bangladesh. L D $$
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 $$
Arlington Kabob
5046 Langston Blvd., 703-531-1498, arlingtonka bobva.com. Authentic Afghan fare includes kebabs, shawarma and lamb shank with rice. L D $$
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill
2424 Wilson Blvd., 703-528-3030, arlrooftop.com. There’s plenty of bar food to go with the games on TV. O C R L D A G V $$
Astro Beer Hall
4001 Campbell Ave., 703-664-0744, astrobeer hall.com. The space-themed saloon and coffee shop promises a fun time with made-to-order doughnuts, fried chicken, burgers and old-school arcade games. o B R L D A $$
B Live
2854 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7094, bliveva.com. Go for beach-inspired eats, a bloody mary bar and live music five nights a week. o R L D A $$
Bakeshop
1025 N. Fillmore St., 571-970-6460, bakeshopva. com. Hit this tiny storefront for coffee, cupcakes, cookies, macarons, icebox pies and other treats. Vegan sweets are always available. B V $
Ballston Local s
900 N. Glebe Road, 703-852-1260, ballstonlocal. com. Pair your local brew with a plate of poutine or a New York-style pizza. L D V $$
Banditos Tacos & Tequila
1301 S. Joyce St., 571-257-7622, banditostnt. com. Mexican street food, tequila, mezcal and sugar-skull décor keep the party going at this Westpost cantina. o L D G V $$
Bangkok 54
2919 Columbia Pike, 703-521-4070, bangkok54res taurant.com. A favorite for Thai curries, grilled meats, stir-fry, noodles and soups. L D V $$
Bar Bao
3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-600-0500, barbao.com. The trendy watering hole serves dishes reminiscent of Chinese and Taiwanese street food, plus sake, soju and Asian fusion cocktails. L D V $$
Barley Mac
1600 Wilson Blvd., 703-372-9486, barleymacva. com. Upscale tavern fare, plus more than 100 kinds of whiskey and bourbon. R L D A G V $$
Bartaco
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3908226, bartaco.com. A lively spot for tacos (13 kinds) and tequila. Feels like vacation. L D V A $$ Basic Burger 1101 S. Joyce St., 703-248-9333, basicburger. com. The homegrown eatery and food truck cooks with locally sourced, certified Angus beef and cagefree, antibiotic-free chicken. L D $$ Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery 1515 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-2410, bayou bakeryva.com. Chef David Guas’ New Orleans-inspired menu changes often, but you can always
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
$$$$ $71 or more
o Outdoor Dining
c Children’s Menu
B Breakfast
R Brunch
L Lunch
D Dinner
A After Hours/Late Night
G Gluten-Free
V Vegetarian
s Best of Arlington 2023 or 2024 Winner
count on beignets and gumbo. Breakfast all day on weekends. O C B R L D G V $
Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique 576 23rd St. S., 571-257-5873, beautybysociety fair.com. Find champagne, cookies, cocktail fixings, small plates and gifts at this woman-owned bistro and market. Closed Mondays. L D $$
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. s 4401 Wilson Blvd., 703-276-3032; 4251 Campbell Ave., 703-933-2867, eatbigbuns.com. Satis-
fy your cravings with “designer” burgers, shakes, beer and booze. L D $$
Bluefish Bistro Sushi & Kitchen
950 S. George Mason Drive, 703-270-0102, blue fishbistro.com. Try specialty rolls with names like Green Dragon and King Kong, or go for a “chef’s choice” spread of sushi or sashimi and be surprised. Closed Tuesdays. L D G V $$
Bob & Edith’s Diner
2310 Columbia Pike, 703-920-6103; 539 23rd St. S., 703-920-2700; 5050 Langston Blvd., 703-5940280; bobandedithsdiner.com. Founded in 1969, the 24-hour eatery whips up pancakes, eggs, meatloaf, and pie à la mode. C 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. The Uyghur Chinese dishes include kebabs, lagmen (hand-pulled noodles), manta (dumplings) and honey cake. L D $$
Brass Rabbit Public House
1210 N. Garfield St., 703-746-9977, brassrabbit pub.com. Pair carrot “fries” and lettuce wraps with craft cocktails like the El Conejo, featuring tequila, carrot juice, ginger, lime and cilantro.
O R L D V A $$
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 $$
Bubbie’s Plant Burgers
1721 Crystal Drive, bubbiesburgers.com. Grab a plant-based or kosher burger, a fried green tomato sandwich or a plate of avocado fries at this outdoor kiosk in National Landing’s Water Park. O L D V $
Buena Vida Gastrolounge s
2900 Wilson Blvd., 703-888-1528, buenavida gastrolounge.com. Savor the flavors of Mexico, from tacos to churros, and head to the top floor for one of the best rooftop bars around. O R L D $$
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 café offers an eclectic menu with oodles of options for vegetarians. O C B R L D G V $$
The Café by Kitchen of Purpose
918 S. Lincoln St., 703-596-1557, kitchenofpur pose.org/cafe. Operated by the nonprofit Kitchen of Purpose (formerly La Cocina VA), this lunch spot serves soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries and Swing’s coffee. L V $
Café Colline
4536 Langston Blvd., 703-567-6615, cafecolline va.com. The cozy French bistro in the Lee Heights Shops satisfies with paté maison, duck confit and chocolate pots de creme. O L D $$
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. Mark Handwerger’s garage-themed watering hole has 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 $$
The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant 2500 Columbia Pike, 703-746-9644, celtichouse. net. The pub on the Pike serves up pints alongside favorites like corned beef and traditional Irish breakfast. C R L D A $$
Charga Grill
5151 Langston Blvd., 703-988-6063, chargagrill. com. How do you like your chicken? Choose Peruvian, jerk, Tandoori or Pakistani charga or sajii at this flavor-packed eatery and takeout. L D $$
Chase the Submarine
1201 S. Joyce St., 703-865-7829. Subs at this Westpost sandwich shop include meatball, banh mi, and PBJ with potato chips. L V $
Chiko s
4040 Campbell Ave., 571-312-0774, chikodc.com. Fan favorites at this Chinese-Korean joint include cumin lamb stir-fry and double-fried chicken wings.
C D G V $$
Circa at Clarendon
3010 Clarendon Blvd., 703-522-3010, circabis tros.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 $$$
Coco B’s
2854 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7094, lovecocobs. com. The sister to B Live features a rooftop bar, live music, tiki drinks and tropical dishes like ceviche and jerk chicken. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
O D A V $$$
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 $$
Copperwood Tavern
4021 Campbell Ave., 703-522-8010, copperwood tavern.com. This hunting-and-fishing-themed saloon serves up steaks and chops, draft beers and 30 small-batch whiskeys. O R L D $$$
Corso Italian
4024 Campbell Ave., 703-933-8787, corsoitalian. com. Find fresh pastas, porchetta and veal chop Milanese at this Italian trattoria, a joint venture of chef Cathal Armstrong and Cheesetique “cheese lady” Jill Erber. Closed Mondays. O L D V $$$
Cowboy Café
4792 Langston Blvd., 703-243-8010, thecowboy cafe.com. Cool your heels and fill up on sandwiches, burgers, brisket and chili mac. An outdoor beer garden features a mural by Arlington artist MasPaz. Live music on weekends. O C R L D V $$
Cracked Eggery
1671 Crystal Drive, crackedeggery.com. Sandwiches on toasted challah include the Abe Froman (sausage, scrambled egg, cheese) and the Inigo Montoya (chorizo, fried egg, pepper-jack and arugula with lemon aioli). C O B R L $
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 $$
Crush Pizza + Wine
1601 Crystal Drive, crushpizzaandwine.com. Enjoy New York-style pizza, wines by the glass and patio crushers at this al fresco dining spot in National Landing’s Water Park. O L D V $$
Crystal City Sports Pub
529 23rd St. S., 703-521-8215, ccsportspub.com. Open 365 days a year, it’s a sure bet for big-screen TVs, pool tables, 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 $$
Darna
946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2373, darnava.com. Grilled kebabs, mezze and traditional Lebanese comfort foods are served in a modern setting. The upstairs is a hookah bar. L D V $$
DC Dosa
1731 Crystal Drive, dcdosa.com. Fill a dosa (lentil crepe) with vegan options such as masala potatoes, eggplant, crispy cauliflower and your choice of chutneys. O L D G 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 $$
Detour Coffee
946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2378, detourcoffee co.com. This comfy cafe has a college vibe and serves up locally roasted coffee, light bites and weekend brunch. O B R L V $
District Taco
5723 Langston Blvd., 703-237-1204; 1500 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-6854; districttaco.com. A local favorite for tacos and gargantuan burritos. C B L D G V $
Don Tito
3165 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-3113, dontitova.com. Located in a historic building, the sports bar spe-
cializes in tacos, tequila and beer, with a rooftop bar. O R L D $$
Dudley’s Sport and 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 $$
Earl’s Sandwiches
2605 Wilson Boulevard, 703-647-9191, earlsinarling ton.com. Made-to-order sandwiches use prime ingredients, like fresh roasted turkey. O B L D G V $
East West Coffee Wine
3101 Wilson Blvd., 571-800-9954. The Clarendon cafe serves espresso drinks, brunch (try the massive Turkish breakfast spread), sandwiches, tapas, beer and wine. B L D $
El Charrito Caminante
2710-A N. Washington Blvd., 703-351-1177. This bare-bones Salvadoran takeout counter hits the spot with tacos, burritos and pupusas. L D V $
El Paso Café
4235 N. Pershing Drive, 703-243-9811, elpaso cafeva.com. Big portions, big margaritas and bighearted service make this Tex-Mex cantina a local favorite. C L D G V $$
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 with 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 $$
Elevation Burger
2447 N. Harrison St., 703-300-9467, elevationburger. com. Organic, grass-fed beef is ground on the premises, fries are cooked in olive oil and the shakes are made with fresh-scooped ice cream. O L D V $
Eli’s Taqueria
3207 Columbia Pike, 703-663-4777. Dig into beef birria tortas, shrimp tacos and pupusas at this homey spot (a spin-off of the Taqueria La Ceibita food truck) run by Nevi Paredes and his daughter, Yorktown alum Elizabeth Marquez. L D $
Endo Sushi
3000 Washington Blvd., 703-243-7799, endosu shi.com. A neighborly spot for sashimi, teriyaki, donburi and maki. L D V $$
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 $$$
Falafel Inc.
1631 Crystal Drive, falafelinc.org. Fill a pita or bowl with falafel, pickled veggies and your choice of sauces. The eatery donates a portion of its sales to feed refugees. O L D V $
Federico Ristorante Italiano
519 23rd St., 703-486-0519, federicoristorante italiano.com. Go for pasta and chianti at this trattoria co-owned by Freddie’s Beach Bar proprietor Freddie Lutz. L D V $$
Fettoosh
5100 Wilson Blvd., 703-527-7710. Overstuffed pita sandwiches and kebabs 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. Enjoy wood-fired pizzas and more than 30 craft beers on tap. 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. A go-to for banh mi sandwiches, papaya salad, spring rolls and noodle dishes. O L D $$
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd St. S., Arlington, 703-685-0555, freddies beachbar.com. Freddie Lutz’s longstanding “gay, straight-friendly” hangout is always a party, with pink and purple Barbiecore décor, flashy drinks, drag bingo and weekend brunch. Snack on nachos, crab cakes, fried shrimp baskets and chicken wraps. O R D A V $$
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 $$
Gharer Khabar
5157 Langston Blvd., 703-973-2432, gharerkhabar togo.com. Translated as “home’s food,” this artfilled, 14-seat café serves Bangladeshi fare cooked by chef Nasima Shreen. L D $$
Good Company Doughnuts & Café
672 N. Glebe Road, 703-243-3000; 510 14th St. S., 703-894-1002; gocodough.com. The family- and veteran-owned eatery serves house-made doughnuts, Intelligentsia coffee and savory cafe fare. B L V $$
Good Stuff Eatery
2110 Crystal Drive, 703-415-4663, goodstuff eatery.com. Spike Mendelsohn’s Crystal City outpost offers gourmet burgers (beef, turkey or mushroom), shakes, fries and salads. L D G V $
Grand Cru Wine Bar and Bistro
4301 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-7900, grandcrubistro. com. This intimate European-style café includes a wine shop next door. O R L D G $$$
Green Pig Bistro
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 $$$
Guajillo
1727 Wilson Blvd., 703-807-0840, guajillo mexican.com. Authentic Mexican dishes such as carne asada, mole poblano and churros are favorites. O C L D G V $$
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 $$
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
1119 N. Hudson St., 571-527-0445, gyu-kaku.com. Marinated meats, veggies and seafood are cooked on tabletop grills. L D $$
Gyu San
4300 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7373, gyusan.com. Go for Japanese barbecue, sushi, soba noodles and saki. L D G $$$
Hanabi Ramen
3024 Wilson Blvd., 703-351-1275, hanabiramen usa.com. Slurp multiple variations of the namesake noodle dish, plus rice bowls and dumplings. L D $$
Happy Eatery
1800 N. Lynn St., 571-800-1881, thehappy eatery.com. Asian comfort foods (think banh mi, noodle soups, rice bowls and bubble tea) are the draw at this Rosslyn food hall from the team behind Roll Play, Lei’d Poke and Chasin’ Tails. L D $$
Haute Dogs
2910 N. Sycamore St., 703-548-3891, hautedogs andfries.com. Cookout fare goes gourmet with hot dog toppings ranging from banh mi with sriracha mayo to a buffalo dog with blue cheese, celery and ranch. L D $
Hawkers Asian Street Food
4201 Wilson Blvd., 703-828-8287, eathawkers. com. Satisfy your craving for hot chicken, pork belly bao and other Asian street foods, plus sake, whiskey and zero-proof quaffs. G V L D $$
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
2150 N. Culpeper St., 703-527-8394, heidelberg bakery.com. Treat yourself to 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 $$
Hot Lola’s
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 1501 Wilson Blvd. (Rosslyn), hotlolas.com. It’s all about Kevin Tien’s Nashville-meets-Sichuan hot chicken sandwiches. L D $
Idido’s Coffee & Social House
1107 S. Walter Reed Drive, 703-253-1576, ididos socialhouse.com. Devotees go for the pastries, sandwiches and Ethiopian coffee. B L V $
Inca Social
1776 Wilson Blvd., 703-488-7640, incasocial.com. Empanadas, saltados, ceviche, sushi and pisco sours round out the menu at this Peruvian cousin to the original in Dunn Loring. R L D G V $$
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-3600, irelandsfour courts.com. Stop in for a pint and an EPL game over an order of fish and chips. C R L D A $$
Istanbul Grill 4617 Wilson Blvd., 571-970-5828, istanbulgrill virginia.com. Feast on Turkish meze and kebabs at this homey spot in Bluemont. L D V $$
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. Open 24 hours, this Crystal City storefront serves grilled Halal meats, pillowy naan and savory sides. L D A G V $$
Khun Yai Thai
2509 N. Harrison St., 703-536-1643, khunyaithai va.com. The family-owned restaurant serves “homestyle Thai” cuisine. L D G V $$
King of Koshary
5515 Wilson Blvd., 571-317-7925, kingofkoshary. com. Washington Post critic Tim Carman dubbed its menu “Egyptian food fit for royalty.” Try the hearty namesake dish, grilled branzino, beef kofta, roasted chicken or any of the tagines (stews). L D G $$
Kusshi
1201 S. Joyce St., 571-777-1998, kusshisushi. com. Feast your way through shishito peppers, sushi, oysters and mochi at this Westpost café. Or splurge for omakase. O L D G V $$$
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 $$
La Coop Coffee
4807 First St. N., 571-257-7972, lacoopcoffee. com. Stop by this cheery café for single-origin Gua-
temalan coffee, house-made horchata, breakfast sammies, empanadas and ice cream. B L $
La Côte D’Or Café
6876 Langston Blvd., 703-538-3033, lcd6876.com. This little French bistro serves standards like crepes and steak frites. O R L D G V $$$
Lebanese Taverna
5900 Washington Blvd., 703-241-8681; 1101 S. Joyce St., Pentagon Row, 703-415-8681; lebanese taverna.com. A hometown favorite for mezze, kebabs, flatbreads and more. O C 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 $$
Lost Dog Café
5876 Washington Blvd., 703-237-1552; 2920 Columbia Pike, 703-553-7770; lostdogcafe.com. Known for its pizzas, subs and beer selection, this deli/café supports pet adoption through the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. L D G V $$
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 $$
Lyon Hall s
3100 N. Washington Blvd., 703-741-7636, lyonhall arlington.com. The European-style brasserie turns out French, German and Alsatian-inspired plates,
from charcuterie and sausages to moules frites.
Mah-Ze-Dahr
1550 Crystal Drive, 703-718-4418, mahzedahr bakery.com. Café fare at this bright and tempting bakery includes coffee, pastries, focaccia, sandwiches and snacks. O B L D $
Maison Cheryl
2900 Wilson Blvd., 703-664-0509, maisoncheryl. com. Seared duck breast, steak frites and madeleines are among the offerings at this French American bistro. R L D V $$$
Maizal Latin Street Food
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3966500, maizalgrill.com. South American street food—arepas, empanadas, yuca fries, Peruvian fried rice, street corn and churros. L D V $
Makers Union
1450 S. Eads St., 703-419-3504, makersunionpub. com. Pop in for comfort food (mac ’n’ cheese, Nashville hot chicken, steak frites), creative cocktails and live music several nights a week. R L D G 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., 703-525-0222, mariospizza housemenu.com. Open into the wee hours, it’s been cooking up subs, wings and pizza since 1957. O C B L D A $
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
4017 Campbell Ave., 571-431-6530, masons lobster.com. Order lobster rolls your way (butter or
mayo) at this Shirlington outpost of the Annapolisbased seafood chainlet. L D $$
Mattie and Eddie’s
1301 S. Joyce St., 571-312-2665, mattieand eddies.com. It’s not just an Irish bar. Chef Cathal Armstrong’s kitchen serves farm-to-table dishes like lobster pot pie, house-cured corned beef, sardines on toast, and Irish breakfast all day. O R L D $$$
Maya Bistro
5649 Langston Blvd., 703-533-7800, bistromaya. com. The family-owned restaurant serves Turkish and Mediterranean comfort food. L D V $$
McNamara’s Pub & Restaurant
567 23rd St. S., 703-302-3760, mcnamaraspub. com. Order a Guinness and some corned beef or fish and chips at this friendly watering hole on Crystal City’s restaurant row. O R L D A $$
Meda Coffee & Kitchen
5037 Columbia Pike, 571-312-0599, medacoffee kitchen.com. A casual café serving coffee, baked goods and traditional Ethiopian dishes like kitfo and tibs. C B L D G V $$
Me Jana
2300 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-4440, mejanarestau rant.com. Named for an old Lebanese folk ballad, this Middle Eastern eatery offers prime peoplewatching in Clarendon. O C L D G V $$
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 $$
Metro 29 Diner
4711 Langston Blvd., 703-528-2464, metro29. com. Classic diner fare includes triple-decker sand-
wiches, mile-high desserts, burgers, roasted chicken and breakfast. C B R L D V $
Mexicali Blues
2933 Wilson Blvd., 703-812-9352, mexicali-blues. com. The colorful landmark dishes out Salvadoran and Mexican chow. O C R L D G V $$
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 $$
Mpanadas
2602 Columbia Pike, 571-312-0182, mpanada usa.com. Try barbecue pork and cheeseburger empanadas, birthday cake paletas and java chip macaroons. B L D $
Mussel Bar & Grille
800 N. Glebe Road, 703-841-2337, musselbar.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s Ballston eatery is known for mussels, frites, wood-fired pizza and more than 100 Belgian and craft beers. O L D $$
Nam-Viet
1127 N. Hudson St., 703-522-7110, namvietva.com. The venerable restaurant in what was once Arlington’s “Little Saigon” neighborhood specializes in flavors of Vietnam’s Can Tho region. O L D V $$
Nighthawk Pizza
1201 S. Joyce St., nighthawkpizza.com. Visit this Westpost brewpub and sports bar for personal pizzas (both thick and thin crust), beer and smash burgers. L D V $$
Northside Social Coffee & Wine s
3211 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-0145, northsidesocial va.com. Tucked inside a red house on the edge of Clarendon, the two-story coffee and wine bar with a big patio is always busy...which tells you something. O B L D V $$
Ocean Shack
2163 N. Glebe Road, 703-488-7161, oceanshack arlington.com. Dig into a seafood boil, a fried oyster basket or an order of fish tacos and pretend you’re at the beach. R L D A $$
Oh K-Dog
4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 703-5673376, ohkdog.com. Try a fried Korean rice dog with add-ins like sweet potato, cheddar or squid ink. L D $
Old Dominion Pizza Co.
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. 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 $$$
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub
3207 Washington Blvd., 703-812-0939, osullivans irishpub.com. You’ll find owner and County Kerry native Karen O’Sullivan behind the bar, pouring pints and cracking jokes. L D A $$
Our Mom Eugenia
4044 Campbell Ave., 571-970-0468, ourmom eugenia.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$
Padaek
2931 S. Glebe Road, 703-888-2890, padaekdc. com. Chef Seng Luangrath’s kitchen in Arlington
Ridge turns out Lao, Thai and Burmese fare—satay, curries and noodle dishes. O L D G V $$
Palette 22
4053 Campbell Ave., 703-746-9007, palette22.com. The Shirlington gallery-café specializes in international small plates and is a hoppin’ brunch spot.
O R L D V $$
Peking Pavilion
2912 N. Sycamore St., 703-237-6868. This family-owned restaurant serves standbys such as moo shu pork and beef with broccoli. L D $$
Peruvian Brothers
1450 S. Eads St., 703-625-6473, peruvianbrothers.com. Dig into sandwiches (try the chicharron with pork, sweet potato and salsa criolla), saltados, empanadas, rotisserie chicken and power bowls. Grab a bottle of hot sauce to take home. L D V $
Peter Chang Arlington
2503-E N. Harrison St., 703-538-6688, peterchang arlington.com. The former Chinese Embassy chef brings his fiery and flavorful Sichuan cooking to the Lee Harrison Shopping Center. C L D $$
Pho 75
1721 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-7355, pho75.res taurantwebexpert.com. Purported to have curative properties, the piping-hot soup at this local institution is all about fresh ingredients. O L D V $
PhoWheels
1731 Crystal Drive, phowheelsdc.com. The popular food truck serving Vietnamese pho and banh mi now has a kiosk at Water Park. O L D G $
Pie-tanza
2503-B N. Harrison St., 703-237-0200, pie-tanza. com. Enjoy pizza (including gluten-free options), calzones, lasagna, subs and salads. C L D G V $$
Pines of Florence
2109 N. Pollard St., 703-566-0456, pinesofflor encearlingtonva.com. The classics include linguine with pesto, veal parm and chicken cacciatore, plus housemade pizza and subs. L D V $$
Pirouette Café & Wine Shop
4000 Fairfax Drive, pirouette.cafe. Pair your favorite vino with cheese, whole roasted fish, a pork cutlet for two and other enticing plates at this Ballston cafe and wine shop. L D G V $$
Poppyseed Rye
818 N. Quincy St., poppyseedrye.com. Pick up sandwiches, biscuits, salads, flower bouquets and gift items (beer and wine, too). 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 Kitchen
1601 Crystal Drive, 703-997-8474, queenmother cooks.com. Grab a fried chicken sandwich and a side of duck fat fries at chef Rock Harper’s kiosk in the Water Park at National Landing. O L D $
Quincy Hall
4001 Fairfax Drive, 703-567-4098, quincyhallbar. com. Go for pints, meatballs and New York-style pizza at this spacious beer hall in Ballston. L D $
Quinn’s on the Corner
1776 Wilson Blvd., 703-640-3566, quinnsonthe corner.com. Irish and Belgian favorites such as mussels, steak frites, and bangers and mash, plus draft beers and a big whiskey selection. B R L D A $$
Ragtime
1345 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-4003, ragtime restaurant.com. Savor a taste of the Big Easy in offerings such as jambalaya, catfish, spiced shrimp and oysters. There’s a waffle and omelet bar every Sunday. O R L D A V $$
Rasa
2200 Crystal Drive, 703-888-0925, rasagrill.com. Build a bowl with options like basmati rice, chicken tikka, lamb, 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, kebabs and delectably spiced veggies keep this strip-mall café plenty busy. C L D V $$
Rebellion on the Pike
2900 Columbia Pike, 703-888-2044, rebellionon thepike.com. The irreverent tavern sports a deep list of craft beers and whiskeys, and serves creative pub grub. O R B D A $$
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. s
3471 Washington Blvd., 703-528-9663, rocklands. com. Owner John Snedden has been slow-cooking barbecue at this Arlington favorite since 1990.
O C L D G V $
Rosa Mexicano
1100 S. Hayes St., 202-783-5522, rosamexicano. com. Dive into ceviche, margaritas, guacamole made tableside and mains such as duck carnitas enchiladas. O C R L D V $$$
Ruffino’s Spaghetti House
4763 Langston Blvd., 703-528-2242, ruffinosarling ton.com. Fill up on classics such as veal Parmigiana and chicken piccata. C L D V $$
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 $$
Ruthie’s All-Day s
3411 Fifth St. S., 703-888-2841, ruthiesallday. com. Chef Matt Hill’s “meat and three” serves up wood-smoked proteins with creative sides like crispy Brussels sprouts with fish sauce vinaigrette. Breakfast (with house-made biscuits) offered daily. O B R L D G V $$
Ryu Izakaya
3030 Columbia Pike, 703-399-9052. A new spot on the Pike for sushi, sake and yakitori. L D G $$
Sabores Tapas Bar
2401 Columbia Pike, 571-970-1253, saboresva. com. Dig into ceviche, lomo saltado and classic gambas al ajillo at this tapas bar on the Pike. R L D G V $$
Saigon Noodles & Grill
1800 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-5940, saigonnoodles grill.com. Traditional Vietnamese pho, banh mi and noodle dishes round out the offerings. L D $$
Salt s
1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-875-0491, saltrosslyn.com. The speakeasy-style cocktail bar serves tasty nibbles (cheese plates, carpaccio) with classic sazeracs and old fashioneds, as well as nouveau craft cocktails. D $$
The Salt Line s
4040 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-2075, thesaltline.com. Hit this seafood-centric oyster bar for 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, whole roasted branzino and 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 and bottle shop offers tastings, wine classes, and small plates for sharing and pairing. O C R L D G V $$
Seamore’s
2815 Clarendon Blvd., 703-721-3384, seamores. com. Dine on sustainably sourced seafood, from clams and mussels to arctic char and yellowfin tuna. Brunch on weekends. O R L D G V $$$
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 $$$
Sfoglina Pasta House
1100 Wilson Blvd., sfoglinapasta.com/rosslyn. Fabio Trabocchi’s urbane trattoria serves housemade pasta (you can watch it being made), a “mozzarella bar” and Italian cocktails. Closed Sundays.
O L D V $$$
Silver Diner
4400 Wilson Blvd., 703-812-8600, silverdiner. com. The kitchen cooks with organic ingredients, many of which are sourced from local suppliers. Low-calorie and gluten-free menu choices available. O C B R L D A G V $$
Skydome
300 Army Navy Drive, 703-416-3862, hilton.com. Savor craft cocktails, Mediterranean-influenced dishes and views of the D.C. skyline in this revolving restaurant atop the DoubleTree Hilton in Crystal City. Closed Sunday and Monday. D G V $$$
Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque
5731 Langston Blvd., 703-269-2718, sloppyma mas.com. Joe and Mandy Neuman’s barbecue joint offers wood-smoked meats galore, plus pimento cheese, hearty sides and banana pudding for dessert. O B R L D V $$
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
1051 N. Highland St., 571-312-8791, smokecraft bbq.com. Every menu item here is kissed by smoke, from ribs, crabcakes and spaghetti squash to the chocolate cherry bread pudding on the dessert list. O L D G V $$
Soul Thai Kitchen & Bar 6035 Wilson Blvd., 703-300-9655, soulthaikitchen andbar.com. Spicy Thai salads and flavorful curries
and noodle dishes are mainstays at this eatery in the former Meridian Pint space. L D G V $$
South Block
3011 11th St. N., 703-741-0266; 1550 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-8423; 4150 Wilson Blvd., 703-4658423; 2121 N. Westmoreland St., 703-534-1542; 1350 S. Eads St., 703-465-8423; southblock.com. Cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls. O B L V $
Sparrow Room
1201 S. Joyce St., 571-451-7030, sparrowroom. com. Scott Chung’s back-room mahjong parlor presents dim sum and Chinese-inspired craft cocktails in a sultry setting. Open Thursday through Sunday, 5-11 p.m. D $$
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 and a deli counter with house-made pastas, sauces and dolci to take home. O L D $$
Supreme Hot Pot
2301 Columbia Pike, 571-666-1801, supreme hotpot.kwickmenu.com. This Pike eatery specializes in Szechuan hot pot, skewered meats and a few Cajun seafood dishes. D G $$
Surreal
2117 Crystal Drive, surrealpark.com. Find playful dishes like a foot-long Boomdog, “swirl” pancakes and old fashioneds made with cornflake-infused whiskey at chef Enrique Limardo’s all-day diner in National Landing. O B L D $$
Sushi Rock
1900 Clarendon Blvd., 571-312-8027, sushirockva. com. Play a little air guitar while sampling sushi rolls and beverages named after your favorite bands, from Zeppelin to Ozzy to Oasis. D A G V $$
Sushi-Zen Japanese Restaurant
2457 N. Harrison St., 703-534-6000, sushizen. com. An amicable, light-filled neighborhood stop for sushi, donburi, tempura and udon. C L D V $$
Sweetgreen
4075 Wilson Blvd., 703-522-2016; 3100 Clarendon Blvd., 571-290-3956; 575 12th Road S., 703-8881025; 2200 Crystal Drive, 703-685-9089; sweet green.com. Locally grown ingredients and compostable cutlery make this salad and yogurt chain a hub for the green-minded. O C L D G V $
Sweet Leaf
2200 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-5100; 800 N. Glebe Road, 703-522-5000; 650 N. Quincy St., 703527-0807; sweetleafcafe.com. Build your own sandwiches and salads. O C B L D $$
Taco Bamba s
4000 Wilson Blvd., 571-777-1477; 4041 Campbell Ave., 571-257-3030; tacobamba.com. Taco options range from classic carnitas to cheffy creations like the El Rico Pollo, stuffed with chicken, green chili, aji Amarillo aioli and crispy potato. B L D V $
Taco Rock
1501 Wilson Blvd., 571-775-1800, thetacorock. com. This rock-themed watering hole keeps the Micheladas flowing alongside tacos on housemade blue-corn tortillas. B L D V $$
Taqueria el Poblano
2503-A N. Harrison St., 703-237-8250, taqueria poblano.com. Fresh guacamole, fish tacos, margar-
JOIN US ALL SUMMER for BBQ & beer on our Watch sports on our outdoor
Rocklands Barbeque has great outdoor patio space and inside private dining space for all your group events! Come check it out!
Your Hometown Barbeque Since 1990
3471 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 703-528-9663
3471 Washington Arlington, VA 703-528-9663
itas and mole verde transport patrons to the Yucatan. C L D G V $$
Tatte Bakery and Café
2805 Clarendon Blvd., 571-312-8691, tattebakery. com. Grab a breakfast sandwich, tartine, panini or grain bowl from the all-day menu, or keep it simple with a coffee and pastry. O B R L D G V $
Ted’s Bulletin & Sidekick Bakery
4238 Wilson Blvd. #1130 (Ballston Quarter), 703-
848-7580, 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 $$$
Thai Noy
5880 Washington Blvd., 703-534-7474, thainoy.com. Shimmering tapestries and golden Buddhas are the backdrop in this destination for Thai noodles, curries and rice dishes. L D $$
Thai Square
3217 Columbia Pike, 703-685-7040, thaisquarerestaurant.com. Enjoy options ranging from crispy squid with basil and roasted duck curry to pig knuckle stew. O L D G V $$
Tiger Dumplings
3225 Washington Blvd., 571-970-4512, tiger dumplings.com. There are dumplings, of course, plus five-spice beef, roast duck and vegan options like tofu skin with peanuts. L D G V $$
Tiki Thai
1651 Crystal Drive, tikithai.com. Order up a round up tiki drinks, some Thai spring rolls and khao soi noodles. O L D $$
TNR Cafe
2049 Wilson Blvd., 571-217-0766, tnrcafe.com. When you have a hankering for Peking duck, moo shu chicken, Szechuan beef or bubble tea. L D G V $$
Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream
5849-A Washington Blvd., 703-536-7000; 510 14th St. S.; tobysicecream.com. Stop in for cups, cones, 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. The beloved eatery that started as a food truck does tacos, alambres, huarache platters, flautas and more. B L D $
Trade Roots
5852 Washington Blvd., 571-335-4274, fairtrade roots.com. The Westover gift shop and cafe serves fair-trade coffee, tea, pastries, salads, organic wine and snackable small plates. 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 s
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 $$
Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café
4301 N. Fairfax Drive, 703-528-3131, unclejulios. com. Tex-Mex highlights include mesquite-grilled fajitas, tacos and margaritas. O C R L D $$$
UnCommon Luncheonette
1028 N. Garfield St., 571-210-0159, uncommon luncheonette.com. The comfort fare at this Manhat-
tan-style diner includes biscuits and gravy, poutine and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches. B L $$
The Union
3811 Fairfax Drive, 703-356-0129, theunionres taurant.us. Giridhar Sastry, a former executive chef at D.C.’s Mayflower Hotel, offers eclectic snacks like Mumbai panini (chaat masala, cilantro chutney, Havarti cheese, veggies), sesame wings and calamari with garlic sauce. o C L D $$
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 $$
Variedades Catrachas Restaurant
3709 Columbia Pike, 703-888-0906, variedades catrachas.com. The Latin fare at this nearly 24-hour homey Honduran eatery includes huevos rancheros, pupusas, carne asada, fried fish with plantains, cervezas, tequila drinks and horchata. B L D A G V $
Water Bar
1601 Crystal Drive, nlwaterbar.com. The succinct menu at this sleek oyster and cocktail bar overlooking National Landing’s Water Park includes salads, sandwiches and sharable seafood dishes.
O L D G V $$
Weenie Beenie
2680 Shirlington Road, 703-671-6661, weenie beenie.net. The hot dog stand founded in 1954 is still serving half smokes, bologna-and-egg sandwiches and pancakes. B L D $
Westover Market & Beer Garden
5863 N. Washington Blvd., 703-536-5040, westo vermarketbeergarden.com. It’s a hive for burgers, draft microbrews and live music. O C L D A $$
Westover Taco
5849 Washington Blvd., 703-297-3030, westover taco.com. Tacos, guac, margs and beer keep things casual at this neighborhood hangout. L D V A $
Which Wich
4300 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-0058, whichwich.com. A seemingly endless menu of sandwiches and wraps with more than 60 toppings. O B L D V $$
Whino
4238 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-3958, whinova.com.
Part restaurant/bar and part art gallery, this latenight spot features cocktails, shareable plates, brunch, street-art murals and “low brow” art exhibits. R L D A $$
William Jeffrey’s Tavern
2301 Columbia Pike, 703-746-6333, william jeffreystavern.com. This pub on the Pike features Prohibition-era wall murals and mixes a mean martini. O C R L D A G V $$
Wilson Hardware
2915 Wilson Boulevard, 703-527-4200, wilson hardwareva.com. Order a boozy slushy and head to the whimsical roof deck. The menu includes small plates, burgers and entrées like steak frites and duck confit. O R L D A G V $$$
Ya Hala Bistro
5216 Wilson Blvd., yahalabistrolounge.com. Enjoy shawarma, kabobs and traditional mezze at this cocktail and hookah lounge in Bluemont.
Yayla Bistro
2201 N. Westmoreland St., 703-533-5600, yayla bistro.com. A cozy little spot for Turkish small plates, flatbreads and seafood. Pita wraps available for lunch only. O C L D $$
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 $$$
2941 Restaurant
2941 Fairview Park Drive, 703-270-1500, 2941. com. French chef Bertrand Chemel’s sanctuary-like spot offers beautifully composed seasonal dishes and expert wine pairings. C L D V $$$$
Abay Market Ethiopian Food
3811-A S. George Mason Drive, 703-820-7589, abaymarketethiopian.com. The seasoned grassfed raw beef dish kitfo is the specialty at this friendly, six-table Ethiopian café. L D $$
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 diner serves standbys like spaghetti, pizza, gyros and subs, plus breakfast on weekends. R L D V $$
B Side
8298 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-676-3550, bsidecuts.com. Nathan Anda’s charcuterie, smashburgers and beef-fat fries steal the show at this cozy bar adjoining Red Apron Butcher. L D $$
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 $$
Bakeshop
100 E. Fairfax St., 703-533-0002, bakeshopva.com. See Arlington listing. B V $
Balqees Restaurant
5820 Seminary Road, 703-379-0188, balqeesva. com. The Lebanese and Yemeni specialties include lamb in saffron rice, saltah (a vegetarian stew) and saffron cake with crème anglaise. O L D V $$
Bamian
5634 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-7880, bamianres taurant.com. Try Afghan standards 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 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 has a hopping patio. Order house brews and creative eats, from wings and fried pickles to plant-based buddha bowls. 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.
Chasin’ Tails
944 W. Broad St., 571-777-9596, chasintailsss. com. The Viet-Cajun menu includes crawfish boils, char-broiled kimchi oysters and scallop crudo with citrus vinaigrette. L D $$
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack
130 N. Washington St., 703-532-9283, clareand dons.com. Go coastal with fish tacos, coconut chicken or one of the many meatless options, and maybe catch some live outdoor music. Closed Mondays. O C L D A G V $$
Colada Shop
2920 District Ave., 703-962-3002, coladashop. com. The Mosaic District “cafecito” attached to
Bloomie’s hits the spot with empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, strong coffee and vacation-y cocktails. O B R L D V $$
District Dumplings
2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-884-7080, districtdumplings.com. Asian-style dumplings, sandwiches and wraps. L D $$
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 $$
Dominion Wine & Beer
107 Rowell Court, 703-533-3030, dominionwine andbeer.com. Pairings come easy when a café shares its space with a wine and beer shop. Order up a plate of sliders, a cheese board or some Dragon shrimp to snack on while you imbibe.
O R L D V $$
Duangrat’s
5878 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-5775, duangrats. com. Waitresses in traditional silk dresses glide through the dining room bearing fragrant curries and grilled meats at this longstanding destination 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 $$
Elevation Burger
442 S. Washington St., 703-237-4343, elevation burger.com. See Arlington listing. O L D V $
Ellie Bird s
125 Founder’s Ave., 703-454-8894, elliebirdva. com. From the owners of D.C.’s Michelin-starred Rooster & Owl, a neighborly place serving cheffy dishes such as kimchi bouillabaisse, octopus ceviche and braised lamb shank alongside kid-friendly fare. c o D G V $$$
The Falls Restaurant & Bar
370 W. Broad St., 703-237-8227, thefallsva.com. Chef Harper McClure turns out crabcakes, clever salads and other seasonal dishes in the restaurant formerly known as Liberty Barbecue. But don’t worry, Liberty fans: The fried chicken and brisket are still on the menu. O R L D G V $$$
Fava Pot
7393 Lee Highway, 703-204-0609, favapot.com. Visit Dina Daniel’s restaurant, food truck and catering operation for Egyptian eats such as stewed fava beans with yogurt and lamb shanks with okra. And oh the bread! B L D G V $$
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 $$
Godfrey’s Bakery & Café
421 W. Broad St., 571-378-1144, godfreysbakery cafe.com. Pop in for breakfast sandwiches, housebaked breads and pastries, grazing boards, Romanstyle pizza and Illy coffee drinks. B R L D V $$
Haandi Indian Cuisine
1222 W. Broad St., 703-533-3501, haandi.com. The perfumed kebabs, curries and biryani incorporate northern and southern Indian flavors. L D V G $$
Harvey’s
513 W. Broad St., 540-268-6100, harveysva.com.
Chef Thomas Harvey’s casual café brings roasted chicken, beer-cheese cheesesteaks, banana splits and other comfort fare to the City of Falls Church. O C B R L D V $$
Hong Kong Palace
6387 Seven Corners Center, 703-532-0940, hong kongpalacedelivery.com. This 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.
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 $$
Jinya Ramen Bar
2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3272256, jinyaramenbar.com. Embellish your tonkotsu or umami-miso broth with more than a dozen toppings and add-ins. O L D A V $$
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 $$
Kamayan Fiesta
301 S. Washington St., 703-992-0045, kamayan fiesta.com. Find Filipino specialties such as chicken adobo, pork in shrimp paste, lumpia (egg rolls) and cassava cake. B L D V $$
Kirby Club
2911 District Ave., 571-430-3650, kirbyclub. com. From the owners of D.C.’s Michelin-starred Mayd¯an, a lively kebab concept (with a great bar) that allows diners to mix-and-match proteins, dips and sauces. D V $$
Koi Koi Sushi & Roll
450 W. Broad St., 703-237-0101, koikoisushi. com. The sushi is fresh and the vibe is fun. Teriyaki, tempura and bento boxes round out the menu. O L D $$
Kreole
2985 District Ave., 571-378-1721, kreoleseafood. com. Love seafood? Choose your preferred catch, pick a sauce and a spice level, and then pile on add-ons like sausage, ramen noodles or Old Bay fries. Or dig into a pile of steamed crabs. D $$
Lantern House Viet Bistro
1067 West Broad St., 703-268-2878, lantern houseva.com. Satisfy that craving for pho, noodles and banh mi at this family-owned Vietnamese eatery. L D G V $$
Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen
7049 Leesburg Pike, 703-532-5299, lazymikes deli.com. A Falls Church institution churning out homemade ice cream, packed sandwiches and breakfast faves. O CB R 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 also has a brick-and-mortar location in Falls Church. The queso birria tacos are a must. Open Wednesday-Sunday. L D $
Little Saigon Restaurant
6218-B Wilson Blvd., 703-536-2633, littlesaigon restaurant.us. Authentic Vietnamese in a no-frills setting. O L D $$
Loving Hut
2842 Rogers Drive, 703-942-5622; lovinghut fallschurch.com. The Vietnamese-inspired vegan
eatery offers menu items like rice vermicelli with barbecued soy protein and claypot rice with vegan “ham.” L D G V $$
MacMillan Whisky Room
2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 240-994-3905, themacmillan.com. More than 200 kinds of spirits are offered in tasting flights. The food menu includes U.K. and American pub standards. O R L D $$
Mark’s Duck House
6184-A Arlington Blvd., 703-532-2125. Though named for its specialty—Peking duck—it also offers plenty of other tantalizing options, such as short ribs, roasted pork and dim sum. R L D A V $$
Meaza Restaurant
5700 Columbia Pike, 703-820-2870, meazares taurant.com. Well-seasoned legumes and marinated beef are signatures in this vivid Ethiopian banquet hall. O C L D G V $$
Met Khao
6395 Seven Corners Center, 703-533-9480, padaekdc.com. Chef Seng Luangrath has transformed the former Padaek space into a fast-casual eatery serving Thai and Laotian fare. L D G V $
Miu Kee
6653 Arlington Blvd., 703-237-8884. Open late, this strip-mall hideaway offers Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan dishes. L D A $$
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, nhulancafe.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. 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 woodfired pizza. O B L D V $$
Nue
944 W. Broad St., 571-777-9599, nuevietnamese. com. The elegant Viet-modern menu (think grilled oysters, coconut-curry risotto and a seafood tower with yuzu nuoc cham) has a stunning space to match. R L D G $$$
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), 434-3394019, ourmomeugenia.com. This family-owned spot is beloved for its real-deal Greek fare, from saganaki to souvlaki. O L D $$
Panjshir Restaurant
114 E. Fairfax St., 703-536-4566, panjshirrestau rant.com. Carnivores go for the kebabs, but the vegetarian chalows elevate pumpkin, eggplant and spinach to new levels. O L D V $$
Parc de Ville
8926 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-663-8931, parcdeville.com. Find French fare such as salmon
rillettes, duck confit, tuna nicoise and steak frites 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 $$
Pho Ga Vang
6767 Wilson Blvd., 571-375-8281, phogavang. com. Find more than 12 kinds of pho, plus other Vietnamese homestyle dishes at this Eden Center café. L D G $$
Pizzeria Orso
400 S. Maple Ave., 703-226-3460, pizzeriaorso. com. Bring the whole family for Neapolitan pies and tempting small plates, such as arancini with chorizo and Brussels chips with shaved grana.
Plaka Grill
1216 W. Broad St., 703-639-0161, plakagrill.com. Pop in for super satisfying Greek eats—dolmas, souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita. L D V $$
Preservation Biscuit
102 E. Fairfax St., 571-378-1757, preservation biscuit.com. Order the signature carb with housemade jams, or as a sandwich with fillers ranging from fried chicken to guac and egg. O C B L V $
Pupuseria La Familiar
308 S. Washington St., 703-995-2528, pupuseria lafamiliar.com. The family-owned Salvadoran eatery turns out pupusas, fried yucca, chicharron, carne asada and horchata. L D $$
Puzukan Tan
8114 Arlington Blvd., 571-395-4727, puzukantan. com. From brothers Sam and Kibum Kim comes this Korean barbecue destination featuring tabletop grills, dry-aged meats, banchan and ramen.
O 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 makes an artful latte. Try one of the seasonal specials. L D $
Rasa
2905 District Avenue (Mosaic District), 571-3780670, rasa.co. See Arlington listing. L D G V $
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 $$
Rice Paper/Taste of Vietnam
6775 Wilson Blvd., 703-538-3888, ricepapertasteofvietnam.com. Try a combo platter of pork, seafood and ground beef with rice-paper wraps at this Eden Center favorite. L D G V $$
Roll Play
944 W. Broad St., 571-777-9983, rollplaygrill. com. Stop by this Founders Row eatery for Viet street foods such as banh mi, pho and build-yourown rice paper rolls. L D G V $$
Settle Down Easy Brewing
2822 Fallfax Drive, 703-573-2011, settledowneasy brewing.com. Pair a pint from the nanobrewery’s rotating beer list with tacos from neighboring El Tio Tex-Mex Grill. Closed Mondays. O L D $
Sfizi Café
800 W. Broad St., 703-533-1191, sfizi.com. A family-owned trattoria, deli and wine shop serving classic Italian fare—pasta, pizza, parm. L D $$
Silver Diner
8150 Porter Road, 703-204-0812, silverdiner.com. See Arlington listing. C B R L D A G V $$
Sisters Thai
2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-280-0429, sistersthai.com. The menu is traditionally Thai, but the vibe feels like you’re dining in your cool friend’s shabby-chic living room. L D G V $$
Solace Outpost
444 W. Broad St., 571-378-1469, solaceoutpost. com. The Little City microbrewery serves housebrewed suds, plus fried chicken, five kinds of fries and wood-fired pizza. D A V $$
Spacebar
709 W. Broad St., 703-992-0777, spcbr.com. This diminutive and funky bar offers 24 craft beers on tap and 18 variations on the grilled cheese sandwich. D A V $$
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 $$$
Taco Bamba s
2190 Pimmit Drive, 703-639-0505, tacobambares taurant.com. Tacos range from traditional carne asada to the vegan “Iron Mike,” stuffed with cauliflower, salsa macha and mole verde. B L D $
Taco Rock
1116 W. Broad St., 703-760-3141, thetacorock. com. See Arlington listing. o B L D V $$
Takumi Sushi
310-B S. Washington St., 703-241-1128, takumi va.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
124 N. Washington St., 703-269-0893, thompson italian.com. Gabe and Katherine Thompson’s celebrated kitchen turns out house-made pastas and some of the best desserts around. O C D $$$
Trio Grill
8100 Lee Highway, 703-992-9200, triomerrifield. com. Treat yourself to steaks, seafood, raw bar, craft cocktails and live piano music. O D $$$
True Food Kitchen s
2910 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3261616, truefoodkitchen.com. See Arlington listing.
O C R L D $$$
Uncle Liu’s Hotpot
2972 Gallows Road, 703-560-6868, uncleliushot pot.com. Customers do the cooking in this eatery inspired by the ubiquitous hot pots of China’s Sichuan province. L D V $$
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 $$$
Amoo’s Restaurant
6271 Old Dominion Drive, 703-448-8500, amoos restaurant.com. The flavorful kebabs and stews are crowd pleasers at this hospitable Persian establishment. O C L D G V $$
Aracosia s
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 $$
Badd Pizza
6263 Old Dominion Drive, 703-356-2233, badd pizza.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$
Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co. s
1340 Chain Bridge Road, 571-456-1640, eatbig buns.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$
Café Tatti French Bistro
6627 Old Dominion Drive, 703-790-5164, cafe tatti.com. Open since 1981, this romantic little bistro whips up classic French and continental fare such as quiche Lorraine and chicken marsala. Closed Sundays. L D G V $$$
Call Your Mother Lil’ Deli
6216 Old Dominion Drive, 571-395-9097, call yourmotherdeli.com. The wildly popular “Jew-ish” deli serves bagel sandwiches and babka muffins from a pink trailer in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center. o b R L 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 $$$
Circa
1675 Silver Hill Drive, 571-419-6272, circabistros. com. See Arlington listing. O L D V $$$
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). Mainstays include seafood towers, lobster bisque and Hong Kong-style sea bass. L D G $$$$
Él Bebe
8354 Broad St., 571-378-0171, el-bebe.com. Feast on tamales, tacos, street corn, mole and tequila-based cocktails. C O L D V $$
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 $$
Fogo de Chao
1775 Tysons Blvd., 703-556-0200, fogodechao. com. This meaty chain showcases the Brazilian tradition of churrasco—the art of roasting meats over an open fire. R L D $$$
Founding Farmers
1800 Tysons Blvd., wearefoundingfarmers.com. The spacious farm-to-table restaurant features Virginia-sourced dishes and drinks. B R L D $$$
Han Palace
7900 Westpark Drive, 571-378-0162, hanpalace dimsum.com. Pay a visit to this all-day dim-sum emporium for made-to-order buns, dumplings, crepes, roast duck and noodles. L D $$
Ichiban Sushi
6821-A Old Dominion Drive, 703-48-9117, ichiban sushimclean.com. A neighborhood go-to for sushi, udon, tempura and teriyaki. Closed Sundays.
L D $$
J. Gilbert’s
6930 Old Dominion Drive, 703-893-1034, jgil berts.com. Everything you’d expect in a steakhouse and lots of it—prime cuts of beef, lobster, wedge salad, steak-cut fries and cheesecake.
C R L D G V $$$
Jiwa Singapura
1702U Tysons Galleria, 571-425-4101, jiwasinga pura.com. Discover Singaporean street foods and elevated dishes such as snow crab with chili sauce at this concept by acclaimed chef Pepe Moncayo. O D G V $$$
Joon
8045 Leesburg Pike, 571-378-1390, eatjoon.com. Savor refined Persian dishes such as lamb-pistachio meatballs with pomegranate glaze and rotisserie-style duck with sour-cherry rice.
L D G V $$$$
Kazan Restaurant
6813 Redmond Drive, 703-734-1960, kazanrestau rant.com. Zeynel Uzun’s white-tablecloth restaurant, a fixture since 1980, is a nice spot for kebabs, baklava and Turkish coffee. L D V $$
The Kitchen Collective
8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite L160, 571-378-0209, tkcfoodhall.com. Chef Chris Morgan’s takeout-only “virtual food hall” has something for everyone, from Sicilian pies and kebabs to acai bowls and cookies. C L D G V $$
Kura Sushi
8461 Leesburg Pike, 571-544-7122, kurasushi. com. Choose maki and nigiri from a revolving conveyor belt at this Tysons sushi bar, where drinks are served by a robot. L D G V $$
Lebanese Taverna
1840 International Drive, 703-847-5244, lebanesetaverna.com. See Arlington listing.
O C L D G V $$
Lost Dog Café
1690-A Anderson Road, 703-356-5678, lostdog cafe.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$
Maman Joon
1408 Chain Bridge Road, 571-342-4838, maman joonkitchen.com. Find dolmeh, falafel, lamb shank and kebabs (plus a built-in Z Burger with shakes in 75 flavors) at this Persian eatery. L D V $$
Masala Indian Cuisine
1394 Chain Bridge Road,703-462-9699, masa lava.com. A specialty here are “momos,” Nepalese dumplings with meat or vegetable fillings. The menu also includes tandoori biryani and Indian curries. L D V $$
McLean Family Restaurant
1321 Chain Bridge Road, 703-356-9883, themcleanfamilyrestaurant.com. Pancakes, gyros and big plates of lasagna hit the spot. 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 $$
Mylo’s Grill
6238 Old Dominion Drive, 703-533-5880, mylos grill.com. Enjoy spanakopita, souvlaki and American classics like burgers and cheesesteaks. Friday is prime-rib night. O B L D $$
Ometeo
1640 Capital One Drive N., 703-748-7170, ometeo
texmex.com. From the creators of The Salt Line comes this sprawling “texmexeria” with Mexican renditions of duck, venison, beef and a wide variety of sea creatures. L D G $$$
Pasa-Thai Restaurant
1315 Old Chain Bridge Road, 703-442-0090, pasa thaimclean.com. Go for a classic Bangkok curry, or a chef’s special such as spicy fried rockfish with chili-basil-garlic sauce. O L D $$
Patsy’s American
8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5100, pat sysamerican.com. For those who find comfort in the familiar, Patsy’s serves 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 $$
Peter Chang McLean
6715 Lowell Ave., 571-405-6686, peterchang mclean.com. See Arlington listing. L D G V $$
Pikoteo
6811 Elm St., 703-891-0123, pikoteo-usa.com. Escape to warmer climes with Latin and Caribbean delights such as ceviche, arepas, mofongo, smoked pork ribs and arroz con pollo.
O R L D $$
Pulcinella Italian Kitchen
1310 Chain Bridge Road, 703-893-7777, pulcinellarestaurant.com. A stop for classic spaghetti and meatballs, linguine and clams and wood-fired pizza since 1985. L D $$
Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks
8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5110, randysprime.com. Treat yourself to prime cuts, duck-fat fries, seafood towers, massive slabs of chocolate cake and other steakhouse standards.
L D G $$$$
Rocco’s Italian
1357 Chain Bridge Road, 703-821-3736, roccos italian.com. The Juliano family makes everything in-house from family recipes, including minestrone, pizza, calzones, subs, pasta and cannoli. O C L D G $$
Roots Kitchen & Bar
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 $$
Simply Fresh 6811 Elm St., 703-821-1869, simplyfreshva. com. A local favorite for pulled pork, chicken and brisket. Plus Greek diner fare, family-style takeout meals and breakfast. O C B L D G V $
Starr Hill Biergarten
1805 Capital One Drive, starrhill.com. Anchoring an 11-story-high sky park, this indoor-outdoor beer garden offers more than 20 brews on tap, and snacks like soft pretzels with beer cheese. O C L D V $
Tachibana
6715 Lowell Ave., 703-847-1771, tachibana.us. Stellar sushi aside, the chef’s specials here include starters such as clam miso soup, monkfish paté and savory egg custard. C L D $$
The Union
1379 Beverly Road, 703-356-0129, theunionres taurant.us. See Arlington listing. o C L D $$
Wren
1825 Capitol One Drive S., thewatermarkhotel. com. Topping the Watermark Hotel, chef Yo Matsuzaki’s sleek izakaya offers Japanese American fare (hamachi tartare, Wagyu burgers, miso-marinated sea bass), stupendous cocktails and sweeping skyline views. D G V $$$
Unleash your child’s imagination this summer! Art Camp provides children an excellent introduction to drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more!
• Pre-K- Rising Eighth Grade Campers welcome. Early and Extended Care available. Field trips. Specialty options: Adventure, History, STEAM, Sports, Cooking, French, Water fun & more! EXPERIENCE~EXPLORE~CREATE
• • • Our camp offers a wide variety of entertaining, engaging, and inspiring activities for boys and girls from ages 7 to 16. Our camp experience promotes independence, decision-making, socialization, skill building.
• • • We are located on a beautiful, 40-acre campus in Falls Church, Virginia at Congressional School. Our diverse programs includeday camp, travel camps, and specialty camps which offer summers of new challenges.
• Some camps daytrip to Washington D.C. for special archival and museum access
• A fun and enriching collection of week-long experiential camps for middle school students.
Ice Skating and Hockey camps for beginning and elite skaters.
Campers will explore painting, sculpture, and a variety of other mediums in small group sessions taught by artists. In addition, campers will also get to tour current exhibitions in the museum!
• Summer Discovery is the premiere provider of pre-college academic experiences at 15 top universities nationwide and abroadages 1317. For 57 years and 100,000+ alumni, it’s the perfect mix of academics and fun.
Create new shows and learn new skills: acting, dance, mime, stage combat and design come together in a summer to remember!
• Think you might be interested in coding, branding, or forensic science? Spend time this summer and satisfy your curiosity with small class sizes focused on exploratory learning.
• Hands-on Sailing camp on the Potomac River. Week- long sessions teach fi rst time through advanced sailors. Sailing is muchmore than just sailing, so many life skills are inherent in this wonderful sport.
Embark on a summer of joy at YMCA Arlington Camp—where children create lasting memories, forge new friendships, andembark on exciting adventures together!
• • Sailing, Water Skiing, High Ropes, Paddle Sports, STEM, Fine Arts, Athletics, Target Sports, Outdoor Exploration, ChesapeakeBay Water Front, Teen Leadership Programs
Theater camps in one and two-week sessions for grades 1-12.
No experience needed!
Create new shows and learn new skills: acting, dance, mime, stage combat and design come together in a summer to remember!
A division of
AGES 4-14
9 WEEKS OF PROGRAMS
40 ACRE WOODED CAMPUS INSIDE BELTWAY
POOL ON SITE
LUNCH & SNACKS INCLUDED EXTENDED CARE & BUS AVAILABLE
CongoCamp.org
Away from the everyday
3 & 2 week sessions
Coed | Ages 7 to 16
www.theartleague.org/classes
Intro to Programming: Python
McIntire Business Institute
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Online shopping is a convenience, to be sure. But for pleasure, nothing beats browsing the shelves of an independent bookstore, says Amber Taylor, a former PR consultant who left that world four years ago to immerse herself in literature. Taylor spent several years working for bookseller Eileen McGervey at One More Page Books in Arlington before opening Fonts Books & Gifts in McLean in late 2023.
Now, as proprietor of her own shop, she revels in helping customers navigate its curated selection of some 5,000 titles, offering assistance in finding the perfect book to match each person’s literary leanings. “There’s a little bit of magic to it,” she says.
Inviting and cozy, the sun-dappled space in Chesterbrook Plaza features colorful sloth wallpaper on the back walls and a children’s corner with beanbag chairs. In addition to books, the merch includes greeting cards and gift-able items such as locally made candles, plushies, mugs, socks, journals and nonalcoholic mixers.
Taylor says she plans to begin hosting zero-proof beverage tastings and mixology classes, as well as author talks and a variety of genrespecific book clubs (mystery and YA are the first groups to launch).
McLean, it seems, was hungry for an indie bookstore of its own. “Every day since we’ve opened, people tell us how happy they are that we’re here,” Taylor says, “and that they’ve been waiting for us.” Happy reading. fontsbooks.com
by Colleen Kennedy
It’s hard to carve out time for creativity in today’s frenetic world. Studio PAUSE founder Sushmita Mazumdar has established a space where people can do just that—step away from their digital devices to discover the joys of analog storytelling and making things by hand.
After creating her first storybook in 2007—a tale of her Indian childhood to be shared with her American children—Mazumdar began leading book arts workshops throughout the DMV, including at the Smithsonian, helping immigrant families tell their stories through mixed media.
Art is a universal language, she says, but the workshops revealed barriers beyond the spoken word: “I also needed to teach people to pause, to make that time to explore creativity and to celebrate the community we live in.”
Through cooperative agreements, grants and partners, Mazumdar opened Studio PAUSE in 2013 and found a permanent home for her creative space in Arlington’s Rinker Community Center in 2015. A second studio location opened along the Columbia Pike corridor in 2023. Both spaces serve residents of affordable housing complexes, inviting them to enjoy the art exhibits or join poetry and bookmaking workshops free of charge. (Workshops are also available to the wider community for $10 or pay-what-you-will prices.)
During Family Art PAUSE events on select Friday evenings, artists lead children’s workshops while parents relax and chat over tea. Another community project—called “Mapping Home”—invites participants to embellish property maps of their apartment complexes with personal memories and symbols. The resulting works are dotted with herb gardens, basketball courts, school bus stops, friendly neighbors and even friendlier dogs.
Tucked between Goodwill and Café Sazón, the Columbia Pike studio doubles as a gallery displaying visual and literary artworks in a variety of media (textiles, collage, photography, embroidery, poetry), many of which are for sale. Original works are priced between $200 and $650, while prints start at $50.
The sky-blue walls of the Paula Endo and Lloyd Wolf Gallery—named after the founders of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project—showcase portraits and stories of local residents in a rich display of the Pike’s cultural diversity. (Turn to page 28 of this issue for one such portrait.) There are impromptu exhibits, too, from windows adorned for the holidays to colorful drawings by children.
In a world often defined by divisions and diversions, Mazumdar is optimistic about what this inclusive art studio can do. “We can change our whole community,” she says, “when we become more understanding of each other.” studiopause.com
A treehouse getaway in the northwestern Maryland woods appeals to the inner child in all of us.BY NEVIN MARTELL
A CHILDHOOD DREAM was finally coming true. Rising before me was The Gathering Tree, one of four arboreal abodes at Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses, a wooded getaway in Grantsville, Maryland. That night, I would sleep in a treehouse, just like the characters in The Swiss Family Robinson
Climbing the wooden stairway to the front deck, I paused to take in the view of the surrounding forest, all sleeved in green in celebration of spring’s unfolding. I went inside, pinching myself as I crossed the threshold.
The cabin’s surprisingly spacious main floor, with its high ceilings, combined a living room and dining area, a small kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom with a queen-size bed. A spiral staircase with a rustic, hand-hewn railing led to a cozy L-shaped loft where a pair of double beds snuggled under the eaves.
With its backwoods-chic aesthetic, the structure seemed straight out of Johann David Wyss’ classic castaway saga of a family shipwrecked on a remote island, where they learn to live off the land and thrive as rulers of their own wild kingdom. As a kid, I always loved the idea of a home cradled by the limbs of a tree, closer to the sky and the stars.
Granted, I never felt like I was marooned on a deserted island at The Gathering Tree. The place is outfitted with modern living in mind. Its compact kitchen includes a microwave, toaster oven, small fridge-freezer, coffee maker, dual hot plates, a few pots and pans, and serving ware. An outdoor firepit is ideal for roasting s’mores or maybe doing some cooking on the coals. This is not the place to whip up grand feasts, but it has everything you need to create a simple, satisfying meal.
I was happy I brought a book since there are lots of nooks that beckon for a
good page-turner. If you want to watch a movie, a combo TV/DVD player is accompanied by a small selection of family-friendly titles. (Sadly, The Swiss Family Robinson was not among them.)
Not that I had any interest in resorting to screen time. When I wasn’t enjoying my leafy accommodations, I headed out to explore Garrett County, the 656-square-mile stretch of Appalachian mountains and forest that make up Maryland’s westernmost corner. The county’s glimmering crown jewel, Deep Creek Lake, is the state’s largest freshwater body, covering 3,900 acres,
Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses
1218 Frank Brenneman Road, Grantsville, Maryland, eetreehouses.com
Treehouse rentals start at $315 per night; two-night minimum usually required.
Ace’s Run
20160 Garrett Highway, Oakland, Maryland, acesrun.com
This family-friendly lakeside restaurant serves stick-to-your-ribs American fare, including burgers, steaks, seafood, pasta and shareable appetizers.
Bear Creek Traders
24586 Garrett Highway, McHenry, Maryland, bearcreektraders.com
This souvenir shop is stocked with country kitsch, T-shirts, hats, outdoor gear and too many bear curios to count.
FireFly Farms Market
309 S. Main St., Accident, Maryland, fireflyfarms.com
Visit this charming roadside market for an impressive selection of cheese and charcuterie, gourmet snacks and sandwiches.
Lakeside Creamery
20282 Garrett Highway, Oakland, Maryland, lakesidecreamery.com
Choose from a dozen different flavors of shakes, floats, smoothies and sundaes.
ringed by 65 miles of shoreline and plunging as deep as 72 feet.
Though the region is most active from Memorial Day through Labor Day, it aims to be a four-season destination. The annual Autumn Glory Festival (happening Oct. 9-13 this year) draws tens of thousands of visitors, and Wisp Resort’s 33 slopes are thronged with ski bums during the snowy months. I visited in late May, just in time to bask in the start of the sunny weather, but ahead of the summer crowds.
Check-in at Ella’s wasn’t until 4 p.m., so at lunchtime on my first day I made a beeline for Ace’s Run in nearby Oak-
land, where large picture windows offered gorgeous views of cotton ball clouds reflected in Deep Creek Lake’s placid waters. The walk-ins-only restaurant features a large menu of American standards: indulgent starters (think a giant pretzel topped with crab dip, or fried cheese curds), burgers, salads, sandwiches and surf ’n’ turf.
I ordered a righteous fried chicken sandwich on a brioche bun piled high with cabbage slaw and a monstrous slice of tomato. Having opted for a side salad rather than fries, I felt I deserved a treat and ambled down the road to Lakeside Creamery, where summertime memories are served a scoop at a time. Grabbing a seat at one of the waterfront picnic tables, I savored a thick peanut-butter-and-chocolate milkshake, soaking in the sun and riding the sugar rush.
The neighboring town of McHenry is packed with bric-a-brac shops geared toward the tourist hordes. I enjoyed poking around Bear Creek Traders, a colorful emporium brimming with
country kitsch, tacky souvenirs and an endless array of bear curios.
To spare myself the chore of cooking dinner, I popped into FireFly Farms Market in Accident, just a short distance away, where you can put together an impressive grazing board of cheese and charcuterie, find gourmet snacks galore and pick up fantastic cheese-centric sandwiches.
In the afternoon, I hiked Deep Creek Lake State Park’s Meadow Mountain Trail, a 5.5-mile loop through verdant
tranquility. Sleep came easily once I tucked myself into the big bed.
The next morning I was up at 5 a.m. to kick-start my day and savor as much time as possible in the treehouse before 10 a.m. checkout.
forest that was coming alive in the spring. Its hilly terrain was punctuated by giant boulders, fuzzy with moss and splattered with lichen.
By evening, I was happily worn out and ensconced in my treehouse, my belly growling for sustenance. I dug into a baguette stuffed with goat cheese, fig jam and prosciutto, and listened to the sounds of the forest—the rising, falling insect orchestra; gentle breezes rustling the leaves; the lonely call of an owl. It was the epitome of
After brewing a pot of strong coffee, I headed out to the side porch and sipped my caffeine as I watched birds flitting among the trees. Soft beams of golden light signaled the gently rising sun. A rooster crowed somewhere nearby. The air was redolent with the smells of spring: the damp following the thaw, the arrival of fresh growth, the remains of autumn leaves giving up the ghost as they disintegrated into the woodland floor.
The raw beauty and decompressing calm reminded me of a line from The Swiss Family Robinson: “It was one of those happy days that God grants us sometimes on earth to give us an idea of the bliss of heaven.”
My inner child beamed, and so did I. ■
Nevin Martell is a food and travel writer in the DMV.
The Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree Campground
The star of this whimsical collection of treehouses is the Dragonfly Fairy House, a two-story cabin for up to 10 guests with a sweeping deck, covered porch, and tower with stained glass windows. There’s no electricity, but cooking can be done on the woodstove or outdoor grill. Rates for the Dragonfly Fairy House start at $150 per night. 20716 Townsend Road, Rohrersville, Maryland, thetreehousecamp.com
Primland Resort
Overlooking Virginia’s picturesque Kibler Valley near the North Carolina border, these adults-only luxe treehouses are built of cedar and perfect for a romantic getaway. The 450-square-foot Mountain Top Tree House offers a king bed, fireplace, and large deck with a hot tub and outdoor shower. Rates for the Mountain Top Tree House start at $2,300 per night. 2000 Busted Rock Road, Meadows of Dan, Virginia, aubergeresorts. com/primland/stay/treehouses
Trillium Treehouse
Notched between three trees, this gnome-worthy cabin looks like it was transported from the pages of a Tolkien tale. With room to sleep four, the glamping-style structure features battery-powered lighting, a gas stove for cooking and heating, and a small deck. There’s a composting toilet in an adjacent outhouse. Rates are generally $202 a night. Linden, Virginia (full address provided at time of booking), airbnb.com/rooms/13493938
DISCOVER THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS IN MAINE
Immerse yourself in the heart of Bar Harbor at any of our properties.
It's not just a stay; it's a genuine, warm embrace of the Maine way. We focus on you—your comfort, your smiles, and creating the perfect launchpad for your adventures in Acadia National Park. With seven unique locations in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, there's a perfect fit for your lifestyle. Stay with us and discover where harmony meets adventure.
get away ■ by Christine Koubek
Flynn
Spend a weekend savoring songs—from birds and humans— at Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel in Columbia, Maryland. The nature- and music-inspired hotel is a tree-lined walking path away from Merriweather Post Pavilion, the iconic concert venue. The hotel’s one-of-akind partnership with The Birdsong
Project (thebirdsongproject.com), launched in 2023, adds birdsong to the music mix.
An optional immersive in-room experience includes a boxed record set of more than 200 tracks of original music and bird-related spoken poetry. Spread the 20 artcovered albums across the floor and have fun choosing tracks to play on a Crosley record player from a flock of musicians and writers. Poets Ocean Vuong, Joy Harjo and Ada Limón are
featured (some reading their own work), and actors such as Sean Penn and Daryl Hannah (who reads Pablo Neruda’s “Ode to the Hummingbird”) lend their voices to more, as well as music performed by Elvis Costello, Beck, Bette Midler and others.
The experience can be booked with a balcony/lakeview room or a suite and also includes boxed water, trail mix and a pair of Warby Parker “Birdoculars” to borrow for spotting birds from your balcony or during
exploration of the walking trails. Raptors, terns, flycatchers, swallows, thrushes, warblers and orioles are just a few you may find.
The Maryland Bird Guide is one project element that’s meant to be taken home. The guide, which was authored and co-illustrated by local birding enthusiast Xaviana Leis when she was 11 years old, is full of fun facts about birds of prey and backyard birds.
Nods to Merriweather Post Pavilion
are scattered throughout the 212room hotel in posters from concerts past and guest room photographs of performers through the decades, such as Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin.
The Osprey Cafe, the Rookery Bar & Lounge and the restaurant Lāk are all located on the lobby level, and the floor-to-ceiling windows of each overlook Lake Kittamaqundi. Lāk’s menu changes seasonally, featuring locally sourced ingredients from Maryland farms and seafood suppliers.
Rates begin at $319 per night; $419 for a balcony suite with Birdsong Project amenities.
Better still: Combine your visit with some live music at the famed open air concert pavilion (walk or take the hotel’s VIP shuttle service) and grab a bite from the midnight munchies snack cart when you return. Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel, 10209 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Maryland, 410-730-3900, merriweatherlakehouse.com
Enjoy With Gusto Hospitality Group, the organization behind some of Easton, Pennsylvania’s top restaurants, has poured a passion for chic one-of-a-kind design into its first boutique hotel— Townley House
Opened along Easton’s “Millionaire’s Row” in December 2020, the more than 150-year-old property has been transformed into a boutique hotel. Nods to the building’s architectural history can be found in the original 1866 wood moldings, hand-carved mahogany staircase, and fireplaces with tiles originally crafted at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in 1898 by Henry Chapman Mercer.
Each of the 16 cozy guest rooms includes its own unique headboard (many vibrantly colored), luxury bedding, mini fridge, TV, tiled walk-in shower, bathrobes and slippers, plus turndown service complete with a lavender pillow mist and sweet treat.
Begin your evening in the garden adjacent to the hotel’s Bar Bix and order a creatively crafted (and named) cocktail. Guest favorites include the Tequila Mockingbird and the Practice What You Peach.
For design inspiration, check out the garden’s claw-foot tubsturned-planters. From there, head to dinner at River Grille or Three Oak Steakhouse, two of Enjoy With Gusto’s restaurants. Both are a short walk from the hotel. Rates begin at $220.
Nestled near Luray, Virginia, which is famous for its dramatic caverns, Spacious Skies CampgroundsShenandoah Views offers a peaceful, family-friendly haven surrounded by mountain vistas, rolling hills and friendly cows that greet campers along the fence line. Set up your home away from home at one of the campground’s RV sites, cabins, tent sites or glamping yurts. Most sites include firepits and picnic tables. A new camp store, two pools, dog park and playground with a jumping pillow round out the fun.
Spacious Skies’ Luray location is one of 15 sites in a collection of campgrounds that begins in Savannah, Georgia, and runs north through the Carolinas and into the Northeast, all the way to Abbot, Maine. Early April is an ideal time to visit the Shenandoah area for spring blooms. Download the Seek by iNaturalist app (or bring another plant and flower identifier) and spot wildflowers, hepaticas, asters, Turk’scap lilies, spiderworts, anemones, wild azaleas and more along Skyline
Drive and Shenandoah National Park’s many hiking trails.
Nearby attractions also include the Luray Zoo, Hawksbill Brewing Co., Bear Mountain Ziplines, Luray Caverns, the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, and Shenandoah River Outfitters.
Tent site rates begin at $27 as of March 8. RV sites with full hookups (water, electric and sewer) start at
$51 for a gravel site, $64 for a pullthrough site with concrete patio, and $50 for a deluxe pergola site. Yurts rent from $82 per night, and cabins with a bathroom and kitchen from $88. Many of the sites have cable and WiFi services.
Spacious Skies CampgroundsShenandoah Views, 3402 Kimball Road, Luray, Virginia, 540-743-7222, spaciousskiescampgrounds.com
This Arlington funeral business has served the community for more than 80 years.
ON A RECENT afternoon, Shawn Baker could be heard trudging up the basement stairs of his family business, slowly and deliberately. When he finally appeared, the reason was evident: In one arm he carried two heavy, leatherbound books of funeral records from the 1940s; in the other, two hardcover telephone books from the 1960s.
Baker’s company—Chinn-Baker Funeral Service—has served the Black community in Green Valley since 1942. Known for decades as simply Chinn Funeral Service (that’s what the sign now says out front), it occupies the same brick building it always has on Shirlington Road. James Chinn founded the business 82 years ago to
provide dignified mortuary services for Black families at a time when such services were harder to come by.
“There weren’t many funeral homes that catered to the Black community at that time,” Baker says. “We needed basic decency. There wasn’t the care for our loved ones.”
Flipping open one of the record books, he notes the logs that were once painstakingly recorded by hand—birth and death dates, cause of death and veteran status. These solemn tomes, which fill the shelves of the upstairs office and the basement, are a treasure trove of Arlington lives.
In the 1960s, Chinn hired Baker’s uncle Robert as an assistant. Robert took over the business in 1969, and Baker’s father, Rupert, soon joined him. The two elder Bakers operated the home until their deaths in 2018 and 2013, respectively, when Shawn became managing director.
Having grown up in the family business, Shawn Baker cemented his skills by attending mortuary school and earning an MBA. His cousin, Cha’Vonne Baker, is now the operations manager. Other family members help out with the dozens of funeral services conducted here each year. In one of the phone books, Baker proudly points out a 1960s advertisement for Chinn’s that includes his uncle’s name.
He has mixed feelings about the recent redevelopment around Shirlington. Several Black-owned businesses have gone by the wayside, including the landmark Green Valley Pharmacy, which Leonard “Doc” Muse ran from 1952 until his death in 2017.
“We handled the services for Doc,” Baker says. “His funeral was in the town square. We also handled the services for [civic activist] John Robinson, the man for whom the town square is named.”
He’s glad Chinn-Baker is still there, helping local families.
“When people call us it’s probably the worst day of their lives,” Baker says. “Just being able to be there for them is satisfying. It’s part of the calling, our way to serve people.” ■
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