The Faraday Park neighborhood has officially welcomed another tenant: Eve’s Garden Lounge and Bar.

The Asian fusion restaurant celebrated its soft opening on Friday, May 12 at 11207 Reston Station Blvd at Faraday Park. It has now added lunch hours from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting today (Friday), according to its website.

Here’s a taste of what the restaurant hopes to offer to community, per its social media pages: 

Journeying back to an era of refined taste and sophistication, where old fashioned drinks reign supreme.  Indulge in the art of mixology as we unlock the secrets of vintage flavors, crafted with precision and passion. From the rich warmth of bourbon to the gentle kiss of bitters, every sip tells a tale of tradition and elegance.

Items on the menu include pho stone pot adventure — a Vietnamese broth served with rice noodles and fresh herbs — and blazing harmony, a hot stone bowl filled with rice and topped with meat and veggies.

The business did not return a request for comment from FFXnow by press time.

Photo via Eve’s Garden/Facebook

“American Idol” winner David Cook will headline this year’s Herndon Festival, set to take place from June 1-4 at Northwester Federal Credit Union (200 Spring Street).

Cook, who won the seventh season of the popular singing show, has since broken several Billboard chart records. The D.C.-based rock band Broke Royals will open his performance.

The Town of Herndon recently announced the line-up for the long-anticipated event in June.

Herndon’s own Pool Boys — a rock band that specializes in a mix of pop, rock and hip-hop — will kick off the festival on Thursday, June 1. Uncle Jesse will headline the event at night.

On Friday, June 2, Pablo Perez El Alcalde de la Salsa will perform, with an opening by The Chuck Brown Band.

On Saturday, June 3, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & the Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band will bring zydeco, the Creole cousin of jazz, to the festival.

Cook will close out the weekend with a show on Sunday, June 4, from 4:30-6 p.m.

“We are incredibly excited to present such a diverse and talented lineup for the Main Stage at this year’s Herndon Festival,” Cindy Roeder, one of the festival’s organizers, said. “We have carefully curated a mix of nationally recognized acts and regional talent to ensure that festival-goers have an unforgettable musical experience. Get ready to sing, dance, and create lasting memories with us!”

The complete schedule is available online.

Pupatella, a Neapolitan pizzeria with roots in Arlington, is slated to open another location in Fairfax County later this year.

The pizza restaurant will open at Chantilly Plaza (13619 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway) by the winter of this year, according to a company spokesperson. The opening could come as early as this fall, but an exact date is not yet known.

Pupatella managing partner Michael Berger says he looks forward to bringing a taste of Italy to the company’s new neighbors.

“Chantilly is a thriving and dynamic community with an amazing group of neighbors and businesses,” Berger said. “In fact, when we started searching for our next location, our research revealed that many of our current fans reside there. The new Chantilly location also partners very well with our existing pizzerias nearby in Leesburg and Reston.”

The restaurant originated as a food truck in 2007 after owners Enzo Algarme and Anastasiya Laufenberg were inspired by a visit to Algarme’s parents in Naples, Italy. It opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Ballston in 2010.

Since then, the company has opened several other locations, including ones in Springfield and the Mosaic District in Merrifield. A Capitol Hill location is coming this summer, along with two other locations in the next two years.

Items on the menu include Napoli street snacks, red pizzas, white pizzas, and salads.

Reston Town Square Park (11900 Market Street) and Reston Station (1901 Reston Metro Plaza) will soon come to life with summer entertainment organized by the Reston Community Center.

RCC has organized six series this year, varying from jazz ensembles to family picnics. Some events will feature pop-up treats in other neighborhoods.

“Reston knows it’s summer when the sounds of great music can be heard in our beautiful plazas,” RCC Board Chair Beverly Cosham said. “RCC brings people together to dance, socialize, visit an outdoor restaurant, or share a picnic basket. It’s a Reston tradition we keep expanding and look forward to every year.”

The first concert — a jazz show from singer Darden Purcell — will usher in Memorial Day weekend at Reston Town Square Park tomorrow (Friday).

A complete breakdown of the events is available below:

Take a Break
Thursdays, June 1 – August 31
7-8:30 p.m.
Reston Station

Beginning with Don’t Back Down, a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers tribute band, the Take a Break concerts fill the plaza atop the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. Other performers include Texas Chainsaw Horns, Loudoun Jazz Ensemble, Scott Kurt and Memphis 59. For the full schedule click here: Take a Break Concerts at Reston Community Center. Concerts are presented by RCC in cooperation with MSE Productions, Inc., and are hosted by Reston Station.

Darden Purcell and Friends
Fridays, May 26 – October 13
5:30-6:45 p.m.
Reston Town Square Park

Jazz vocalist and series curator Darden Purcell brings her group to open the summer series of “Darden & Friends” in Reston Town Square Park. This concert will feature exciting new arrangements of Great American Songbook repertoire and jazz standards.

Fab Fridays
June 2 – September 1
7-8:30 p.m.
Reston Station

Kick off the weekend with Fab Fridays featuring the U.S. Army Blues Big Band, festive rhythms from Dogo from Togo, merengue with Latin pop band Ocho de Bastos and many more. See the full concert schedule here: RCC Fab Friday Concerts. Three hours of free parking are available in the ParkX garage with validation. Concerts are presented by RCC in cooperation with MSE Productions, Inc., and are hosted by Reston Station.

Family Fun Entertainment
Saturdays, June 17 – August 5
10-10:45 a.m.
Reston Town Square Park

Bring the kids for magic, comedy, puppets, music and lots of laughs. Family Fun begins on June 17 with Guava Jelly. Other shows include Rocknoceros, Lohr Family Antics, The Uncle Devin Show and Turley the Magician. Family Fun Entertainment is presented by RCC and Reston Town Center Association in cooperation with MSE Productions, Inc. Reston Town Center garages offer free parking on Saturdays.

Sunday Art in the Park with the Shenandoah Conservatory
Sundays, June 11 – August 27
7-8 p.m.
Reston Town Square Park

Wind down your weekend with classical, jazz and cabaret-style music provided by faculty and students from Shenandoah University’s acclaimed music conservatory. The series starts June 11 with Ellington Caravan paying tribute to Duke Ellington. This series will run through August 27. Visit Sunday Art in the Park for the complete schedule. Reston Town Center garage parking is free on Sundays. Sunday Art in the Park is presented by RCC and Reston Town Center Association in cooperation with Shenandoah University.

Family Picnic Days
Saturday August 5 – Temporary Road Pavilion
Saturday, August 12 – Pony Barn Picnic Pavilion
Saturday, August 19 – North Hills Picnic Pavilion
4-6 p.m.

Bring a picnic, your family and friends to Family Picnic Day. Play family-friendly lawn games, enjoy local performers and have some fun! Family Picnic Days are presented by Reston Community Center and Reston Association.

Fairfax County staff have released their final word on a draft version of the Reston Comprehensive Plan, a guiding document for holistic community planning that was last updated in 2015.

Released yesterday (Wednesday), the staff report shortens and tweaks the first version of the plan, which was developed by a Reston Comprehensive Plan task force, a 31-member group convened by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn in 2020.

In response to concerns raised by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, staff’s recommendations for the plan tighten prescriptive policy language in the first proposal and condense several separate sections into one chapter on planning for the new town of Reston.

“This chapter of the proposed plan does not break new policy ground, nor is it prescriptive,” the report states.

In the report, staff noted that their version of the plan aims to maintain the existing residential densities in Reston’s village centers, removing the option of housing in non-residential portions. Any changes would require another amendment to the plan.

The proposal also aims to preserve existing market and affordable housing in Reston — although that language is an encouragement, rather than a mandate.

The idea of biophilia — a designation given to communities that protect and cultivate nature while creating deep connections with the natural world — is also emphasized in future planning and development in Reston.

As alluded to during previous discussions in April, the latest plan includes a chapter called “Planning a New Town” that combines the principles of equity, community health and economic development under an umbrella chapter instead of separate ones.

“I am looking forward to reviewing the staff report to ensure that it includes the essence of goals from that Board Matter three years ago. Last updated in 2015, the Reston Comprehensive Plan is the guiding document for land use and development decisions in Reston,” Alcorn wrote in his weekly newsletter to constituents.

The task force’s initial version drew consternation from the board, which saw it as overtly prescriptive and an overstep of what the county can require by law. The board also worried it would set a precedent of establishing separate principles of community health and equity for one community within the county.

The staff’s version of the report also departs from the task force’s version on several key points.

The task force sought to remove an exemption in the plan that removed ground-level retail located in office, hotel and residential buildings from calculations when determining how much a developer should pay into the county’s housing trust fund. Read More

Changes to Reston Station and Reston Row — mixed-use developments near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station — are barreling towards approval.

At a meeting yesterday (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to set a July 25 public hearing date for the joint proposals, which would shift approved but unbuilt residential density from one block of Reston Station to Reston Row.

Reston Row is an extension of Reston Station, a nearly 10-acre development at the Metro station. Reston Row includes two office buildings that will be anchored by Puttshack, an indoor mini-golf destination, and VIDA Fitness.

A third building includes 93 condos over a JW Marriott, while an apartment building labeled Building D will be anchored by the restaurant Ebbitt House.

Comstock wants to shift roughly 165 units or 264,000 square feet of space that was not used in Reston Station to the Ebbitt House apartment building. Nearly 10,000 square feet of space would be dedicated for a roof deck on top of another building for Founding Farmers and a future building in a different block on the property.

“Critically, the Applicant is not requesting one single square foot of additional density over and above what was approved and is entitled to be developed when Reston Station and Reston Row are aggregated,” the application said.

The developer argues that shifting the residential density would allow it to deliver workforce dwelling units sooner “than it otherwise would have” and in a better location for the county’s residents, according to the application.

The Puttshack building is set to delivered December of next year, while Building D is expected to deliver in November 2026, according to a board matter introduced yesterday by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

In the matter, Alcorn states that the changes shift density to a “more logical, Metro-proximate, and resident-friendly location at Reston Row.”

From a logistical standpoint, the two separate applications for the project can be voted on concurrently. The July hearing before the Board of Supervisors will be preceded by a June 28 public hearing by the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

Fairfax County is working through a list of dozens of projects that could bring transportation infrastructure improvements to Richmond Highway (Route 1).

County planners plan to discuss the Richmond Highway Transportation Plan at virtual meetings tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow (May 25).

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan in 2018. As part of that approval, the board directed county transportation staff to develop a funding plan for improvements throughout the corridor.

So far, the recommended projects and conceptual designs in the corridor include missing links between sidewalks so residents can take advantage of planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations and existing shopping centers.

Branded “The One,” the BRT will include nine stations between Huntington Metro Station and Fort Belvoir.

Projects for additional sidewalks are below:

• North Gateway CBC sidewalks
• Huntington TSA sidewalks
• Penn Daw CBC sidewalks
• Hybla Valley/Gum Springs CBC sidewalks
• Beacon/Groveton CBC sidewalks
• South County CBC sidewalks
• Woodlawn CBC sidewalks

A second class of projects builds more streetscapes between Community Business Center (CBC) areas, largely through private developers. But a quarter of the projects are included in the funding plan in the event that small elements need to be built by the county:

• North Gateway Grid of Streets
• Penn Daw Grid of Streets
• Beacon/Groveton Grid of Streets
• Hybla Valley/Gum Springs Grid of Streets
• Woodlawn Grid of Streets

The final class of projects include a mix of pedestrian connections, paths and trails:

• Buckman Road Bike/Ped Improvements
• Dart Drive Bike/Ped Improvements
• South Kings Highway Bike/Ped Improvements
• Lukens Lane Bike/Ped Improvements
• Ashton-Grey Goose-Hybla Valley Trail
• Pole Road Shared Use Path
• Old Mill Road Shared Use Path
• Jeff Todd Way Shared Use Path
• Douglas Street-Derek Road Connector Trail
• Davis Street-Arlington Drive Connector Trail
• Sherwood Hall Lane Bike Lane
• Frye Road Bike/Ped Improvement
• Beacon Hill Road Spot Improvement

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has also developed design concepts for bicycle lanes on Arlington Drive, Quander Road, Southgate Drive and Memorial Street. There are two options for the Arlington Drive lane: one that would provide curbside parking and a landscape panel on both sides of the street, and one that would provide them only on one side.

Tomorrow’s meeting runs from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday’s meeting takes place from noon to 1 p.m.

More local legislators are pushing back against a federal proposal to allow more long-distance flights at National Airport (DCA).

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to oppose the push to increase the number of flights that travel beyond 1,250 miles from the airport in Arlington.

In a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, the board argued that the effort would undermine Dulles International Airport (IAD), resulting in “detrimental” impacts on the local economy.

The legislation pushed by the Capital Access Alliance, a coalition of business groups, continues a long-running battle over slot and perimeter rules originally enacted in the 1960s.

The board argues that changes would disrupt the balance between the region’s two major airports and compromise the operating environment for air traffic. The letter also says flight paths for arrivals and departures to the south of DCA have caused major noise issues over residential areas in the county following the implementation of a federal Next Generation Air Transportation System, also known as NextGen.

Board Chairman Jeff McKay emphasized that the issue resolves around public safety. He said that many airline pilots that fly out of DCA say that is one of the “most dangerous” airports to fly in and out of because its designed for specifically-sized airports in the landing area.

“This is not just wrong to impose these changes without a lot of public input, it’s not just wrong for parochial reasons, but it’s wrong to do it in the name of public safety as well, and I think that’s one of the things that’s important for us to emphasize,” McKay said.

Proposing to allow 28 more long-distance flights out of DCA, the bill was introduced on May 10 by Reps. Burgess Owens and Hank Johnson, who represent Utah and Georgia, respectively. It has already faced opposition from Virginia’s senators, a community group looking at the airport’s noise issues, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which manages both DCA and IAD.

Congress is expected to consider the proposal this fall.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross said the issue of airport noise is particularly problematic.

“Mason District is not on a direct path of the airplanes for National, but we are getting increasing numbers of complaints about airplane noise and helicopter noise. So, I’m glad that we’re stepping up and doing this,” Gross said.

Storck said he hopes other efforts can be undertaken to tackle airplane noise, especially in his district. He noted that County Executive Bryan Hill is working with Alexandria and Arlington officials to enlist a consultant that will study ways to mitigate noise impacts.

The county says that maintaining existing perimeter and slot rules is necessary in order to spur growth at Dulles, which is supported by the arrival of Metro’s $6 billion Silver Line extension.

“The interconnectedness of Virgnia’s and the mid-Atlantic’s aviation system makes the continued success of both airports vital to both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Washington Metropolitan Region,” the letter states. “As such, we request your support in preventing further efforts to modify the perimeter and slot rules to protect the balance between the capacities of our region’s airports.”

Reston Association’s pool season has officially kicked off, although the opening date of Lake Thoreau pool is not yet known for this season.

The complete pool schedule — which is divided into five seasons — is available online.

RA says it has hired 85% of its lifeguard staff, overcoming labor shortages that often plague these positions. Last year, two pools were temporarily closed when staff members contracted COVID-19, but staffing was generally not an issue.

“Seasons four and five toward the end of the summer continue to be the most challenging for aquatics staff recruitment and retention as students return to school and start fall activities,” RA spokesperson Mike Leone said. “We continue to recruit lifeguards.”

North Shore’s heated pool and spa and Ridge Heights heated pool opened first on May 13. RA is actively hiring for more lifeguards online.

It’s still unclear if and when Lake Thoreau Pool, which is undergoing major renovations, will open this year.

Leone said the decision will depend on the timing of the project’s completion and approval from RA’s Board of Directors.

“At this point, the pool is close to 70% completed and we anticipate an early September completion,” he said.

The Herndon Town Council is poised to approve its capital projects plan.

Known as the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the six-year schedule sets funding plans for the town’s infrastructure projects and is incorporated as part of the operating budget.

This year’s $25.4 million plan includes new projects like sidewalk improvements along Spring Street and Locus Street. In recent years, residents have called on the town to improve safety and security for pedestrians in those specific areas.

The town is proposing nearly $1.4 million in funding to construct ADA-compliant 5-foot-wide sidewalks and curb-and-gutter along both sides of old Spring Street. The project would also include curb-cuts and crosswalks, extending from Locust Street to the new Spring Street.

The Locust Street project — which would also cost nearly $1.4 million — also includes sidewalks and curb-and-gutter along both sides of Locust Street. It would extend from old Spring Street to Elden Street.

Both projects may need to be constructed in phases, according to the proposal.

The Herndon Town Council is expected to discuss the proposed CIP for 2025-2029 at a work session tonight (Tuesday).

This year’s program continues to benefit from federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

In a presentation, staff noted that many of the projects included in the plan are “addressing aging and deteriorating infrastructure.” The presentation described the plan as “reasonable,” given the current financial climate faced by the town and throughout the country.

A new project to implement life cycle updates at Herndon Community Center is also on the books.

The life-cycle projects, which would cost roughly $1.4 million, are not yet set in stone. The town plans to complete an analysis of the project’s scope by fiscal year 2029 in order to determine what areas need upgrades and replacement. The proposal notes that the roof needs to be replaced.

According to the proposal:

The racquetball court, fitness room, locker rooms, and gym HVAC units were last replaced in 2005 with a useful lifespan of 20 years. An analysis should be completed in FY28 to determine the project scope, estimated replacement schedule and construction costs. This project will replace and upgrade the units and address any duct and related infrastructure work needed to facilitate the new units.

The town also anticipates replacing the floor of three racquetball courts, which was last installed in 1989, and additional work on the sidewalls.