After an unanticipated delay, Great Falls Lodge Bar and Grill is finally opening its doors.
Previously expected to open earlier this summer, the restaurant is now set for a soft launch at 9835 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls Center this coming Monday, Sept. 7, according to owner and chef Neel Kamal.
Kamal says getting through Fairfax County’s permitting and inspection process “took longer than expected,” but his team is now ready to welcome patrons. Great Falls Lodge will initially open for dinner service at 3-10 p.m. before later expanding to lunch and happy hours.
The first Virginia location for a concept that started with the Urbana Lodge and Clarks Lodge in Maryland, Great Falls Lodge will serve a fusion of classic American bar food with Asian flavors, though the soft opening menu appears to focus on western dishes.
Offerings include burgers, flatbreads, salads, and meat and seafood entrees, such as baby back ribs, fish and chips, Maryland crab cakes, and jambalaya. The extensive drink menu features wine, cocktails, a range of liquors, and non-alcoholic beverages, including tea, coffee and carbonated beverages.
“It’s really a fun place, and we are very successful in Montgomery County, so we’re really excited to expand into Virginia area,” Kamal told FFXnow in an interview earlier this summer. “We have Great Falls, and then we have Vienna Lodge coming soon.”
Moving into the former Blackfinn Ameripub in Dunn Loring at 2750F Gallows Road, the Vienna Lodge will be larger than the Great Falls outpost at 8,654 square feet. Kamal has said he’s planning to bring a sports theme to that location, which could feature a pool table and a brunch buffet.
After previously hoping to open in Dunn Loring in August, Kamal didn’t offer an updated timeline, but it will likely be some time before local foodies can expect a launch.
A commercial alteration permit to allow the restaurant’s buildout is currently under review by Fairfax County staff, who had voided an earlier submission before accepting new building plans in early August.
