Around Town

A Chantilly-based dessert store is expanding its offerings with the launch of a new battery-powered gelato cart that it hopes to operate at weddings, corporate gatherings, and other events.

SoftSpot, which opened at 13905A Metrotech Drive in early 2025, will churn its fresh Italian-style gelato in front of guests in the self-contained cart — without the need for outlets or cords.


Around Town

A longstanding staple at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston is saying farewell at the end of September.

Lakeside Asia Cafe (11130 South Lakes Dr J) will close after its last day of business on Wednesday, Sept. 30, according to notices posted outside the restaurant and on its website.


Around Town

A doner kebab chain with more than 170 locations across the globe is opening its first Virginia restaurant in Fairfax County this weekend.

German Doner Kebab (GDK) will host its grand opening celebration at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 in Idylwood just outside Falls Church City (7121b Leesburg Pike Ste R2), the restaurant recently announced via a social media post.


News

One of the Washington region’s most famous fine-dining establishments is under new ownership — and it’s a name many Northern Virginians know well.

L’Auberge Chez François, an award-winning French eatery in Great Falls, is now part of Reston-based Thompson Restaurants, led by Warren Thompson, a longtime regular at the prestigious French eatery.


Around Town

A Korean pot rice restaurant is set to fill the space in Centreville’s Centrewood Plaza vacated this summer by longtime tenant Tippy’s Taco House.

Dam-Sot, a restaurant specializing in premium rice dishes, will open at 14119 St. Germain Drive near the Giant food store that anchors the shopping plaza.


Around Town

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week is back for 2026, and over two dozen establishments in Fairfax County are in the mix.

Starting today (Monday) through Sunday, Aug. 30, more than 380 restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are offering multi-course brunch, lunch and dinner menus that range in price from $25 to $65 per person, depending on the location.


Around Town

A longtime favorite with local foodies will return this month.

Fairfax City Restaurant Week is running Aug. 20-30, with 21 local restaurants putting a spotlight on the signature dishes that best represent their establishment.


Around Town

The popular D.C.-area restaurant Founding Farmers is preparing to bring on-site distilleries to its Fairfax County locations.

According to Fairfax County zoning records, Founding Farmers’ existing Tysons and Reston locations each plan to operate a small-scale distillery producing no more than 5,000 gallons of spirits per year for patrons of the farmer-owned restaurant.


Around Town

A staple of local farmers’ markets will soon become a permanent presence at the Mosaic District.

Toimoi Bakery is targeting early 2027 for opening a brick-and-mortar storefront in the Merrifield neighborhood, co-owner Gabriel Santos told FFXnow.


Around Town

A new restaurant aims to bring a taste of regional food from one of China’s oldest and largest cities to Northern Virginia.

Chin’s Xi’An Style Restaurant plans to bring hand-ripped noodles, prepared in a home style inspired by foods in Xi’An — the capital city of Shaanxi, a province in northwestern central China — when it opens its third location this August in Fairfax City. The new location will be based inside the 99 Ranch Market at 10780 Fairfax Blvd, with takeout or seating available in the grocery store.


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