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A few years ago, Julie and Kaveh Safa purchased their dream home in Great Falls, right on the same street where Kaveh grew up. Not long afterward, the couple’s dream unexpectedly expanded with the purchase of a longstanding restaurant in their new community.

Now, that restaurant has been fully rebranded and re-envisioned as The Cellar on Seneca after operating for nearly two decades at 1025 Seneca Road, Suite I, as Brx American Bistro.


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Mod Pizza is shuttering its last restaurant in Fairfax County, making way at Plaza America in Reston for the past decade for a RAMMYs Award-winning chain.

A Mod Pizza spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow that its Reston location will permanently close at the end of September, just over a decade after opening its doors at 11642 Plaza America Drive.


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It appears South Asian cuisine will soon give way to comfort food from the southern U.S. at one restaurant space in Tysons Corner Center.

The “Southern-inspired” chain Milk & Honey from Reston-based Thompson Hospitality is planning to open a location in the mall at 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Suite G21U, taking over a roughly 4,900-square-foot space currently occupied by the Indian restaurant Dhoom, according to a building plan submitted last month to Fairfax County.


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The New York City-based Wonder food hall will continue its expansion across Northern Virginia with a new location opening in Chantilly.

The new location at 13958 Route 50 is expected to open in spring 2027, a spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow. An exact opening date was not yet available.


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Construction is well underway to transform Herndon’s former Burger King into a future Panda Express.

The Chinese American chain is “tentatively” aiming to open at 598 Elden Street in late July, though the timing could be affected by any construction delays, Panda Express public relations representative Brittany Rouse says.


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This summer, Great Falls diners will be able to escape the D.C. region’s heat at a new restaurant designed to mentally transport patrons to a rustic mountain lodge.

Great Falls Lodge Bar & Grill is on track for a soft launch at 9835 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls Center in the first week of July, with a potential opening as soon as Monday, June 29, according to owner and chef Neel Kamal.


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Maggiano’s Little Italy is making its return to Tysons, bringing back its hallmark “family style” pastas and Italian fare after a months-long relocation process.

The popular Italian restaurant will open its new location at Tysons Corner Center on Monday (June 15) after closing in September at Tysons Galleria across Route 123. There, the restaurant will continue to serve Italian cuisine and shareable dishes in a massive 17,000-square-foot space previously held by Brio.


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Two years after “coming soon” signs started teasing its arrival, KPot has finally opened its doors at the South Alex development in Penn Daw.

The Korean barbecue and hot pot chain had a soft launch for its newest Fairfax County location at 6224A North Kings Highway last Thursday, June 4, welcoming local residents who had been awaiting the incoming restaurant since 2024.


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Dogfish Head Alehouse’s long-awaited return to Fairfax County will take a little longer than expected.

While the restaurant had originally targeted a summer 2026 opening, owner Viswa Vasireddy has confirmed to FFXnow that the new location at 11995 Inspiration Street in Reston Town Center is now likely to open in the fall.


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The former Velocity Wings at University Mall has reopened under a reimagined concept, offering the restaurant’s staple chicken wings and a broader lineup of American comfort foods.

Velocity Bar + Kitchen is now open at 10697 Braddock Road, reflecting the business’ evolution “into a more expansive, full-service dining experience while continuing to serve the signature wings guests know and love,” according to a press release from hospitality group Thompson Restaurants.


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