restaurant | FFXnow

Morning Notes

Published May 5, 2022 at 7:30AM

Cranes loom behind Wiehle-Reston East Metro station plaza (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Autopsies in Fairfax County Murders Still Pending — “Autopsies have been unable to determine how three victims of suspected ‘shopping cart killer’ Anthony Eugene Robinson died…Robinson is suspected of killing at least four people whose remains were found in Alexandria and Harrisonburg, Virginia, as well as the District.” [WTOP]

Spring Farm Day Canceled at Frying Pan — This year’s Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday (May 7) has been canceled due to rainy weather in the forecast. Anyone who registered in advance should receive an email with more information. [Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter]

News

Vienna poised to vote on new rules for outdoor dining

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 28, 2022 at 2:15PM

The Cedar Park Shopping Center's patio is set up for outdoor dining (file photo)

An end is in sight for Vienna’s months-long debate over the future of outdoor dining in the town.

The Vienna Town Council intends to vote on May 11 on a new draft zoning ordinance that will permanently ease the permitting process for restaurants seeking to provide outdoor dining — with some limits in place to ward off conflicts over noise, parking, and other potential issues.

Countywide

Robot helpers planned for upcoming senior living high-rise in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 25, 2022 at 3:45PM

Mather Director of Culinary Operations Thad Parton with a food-running robot that the senior living facility operator is testing in Arizona (courtesy Mather)

When The Mather Tysons opens in 2024, the senior living facility might employ some workers of the artificial intelligence variety.

Rest assured, these robots won’t be capable of planning a HAL 9000-style takeover. Instead, they will perform simple, repetitive tasks, such as delivering food to tables and apartments and cleaning hallways.

Countywide

Wawa fuels up for summer opening of Fairfax store, its 100th in Virginia

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 25, 2022 at 12:45PM

The gas station and convenience store is slated to open in the summer (Image via handout/Alexandria City Council)

Wawa is officially opening its 100th location in Virginia, and Fairfax City will be the beneficiary.

The gas station and grocery store plans to open up shop at 9700 Fairfax Boulevard.

News

Rules proposed to allow permanent outdoor dining in downtown Herndon

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 22, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 4:54PM

An outdoor tent set up on Lynn Street in Herndon (via Google Maps)

Outdoor dining became a go-to option during the peak of the pandemic for downtown Herndon businesses, but it may not just be a thing of the past anymore.

The Herndon Town Council is considering a proposal to permit outdoor dining and seating in public areas. The move comes after temporary licenses to allow outdoor dining expired in November.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 11, 2022 at 7:30AM

Inside Capital One Hall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Depp-Heard Defamation Trial Starts Today — “Three years after actor Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse, the case is going to trial on Monday in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia.” [The Washington Post]

Reston Man Indicted for Animal Cruelty — “Sheheryar Kamran, a 20-year-old resident of Reston, Virginia, was indicted on three federal charges related to animal cruelty for allegedly creating and posting videos on social media showing him abusing and killing hamsters. Kamran pleaded ‘not guilty’ in a federal court in Alexandria on February 24, 2022. He is currently awaiting trial set for May 16, 2022.” [FOX5]

Countywide

Clever basketball shot seen on TikTok builds empire for Fairfax County man

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 8, 2022 at 3:00PM

The restaurant is located in D.C. (photo courtesy Halal Wrist)

A phrase that started as a basketball trick has translated into a social media empire and a restaurant for two Fairfax County natives.

Halal Wrist began as a clever maneuver of the hand that enabled Soufiane Bernoukh to make a perfect basketball shot. The trick shot was caught on video and soon went viral on TikTok and was coined “Halal Wrist.” Halal is an Islamic term that denotes permissibility.

Countywide

Multiple Fairfax County restaurants named finalists for RAMMY Awards

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 6, 2022 at 3:45PM

Blend 111 in Vienna is a 2022 RAMMY Awards finalist for "Best Brunch of the Year" (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The finalists for the D.C.-area restaurant industry’s annual RAMMY Awards are out, and a few Fairfax County hotspots made the cut.

Organized by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), a regional trade and advocacy group, the 40th annual RAMMYs represent a shift toward normalcy after two years of slightly modified proceedings to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countywide

Campaign to ‘Save Duck Chang’s’ picks up steam as Annandale shopping center faces exodus

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 28, 2022 at 10:30AM | Updated May 23, 2022 at 2:24PM

The restaurant has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund renovations (Photo via GoFundMe).

Duck Chang’s, a family restaurant that set its roots down in Annandale nearly 50 years ago, is charting an uncertain future.

Located in a strip mall at 4427 John Marr Drive, the restaurant — which has been in the Chang family for generations — has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover more than $100,000 in renovations that the property’s new owners asked the restaurant to complete.

News

With new chef, Chinese BBQ eatery returns to Tysons Galleria food hall

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2022 at 10:30AM

Hei Hei Tiger plans to fully reopen at Tysons Galleria in June (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Tysons Galleria’s Urbanspace food hall is back, and a key restaurant from its past hopes to soon follow suit.

More than two years after its initial, truncated opening, Hei Hei Tiger is being revived with a new chef to craft the roasted meat and noodle soup dishes that are the Cantonese restaurant and bar’s specialty.