New Dining Options Coming to Tysons Mall
Some new dining options are coming to Tysons Corner Center.
Popeye’s is coming to the first floor food court at Tysons Corner Center. (Photo: Angela Woolsey)
Popeyes will join the mall’s first-floor food court.
Popeyes wants to open a 1,005 square-foot location at 1961 Chain Bridge Road Mall, G1L, according to a commercial alteration permit being reviewed by Fairfax County. The restaurant will be located between Panda Express and Chef Lin. No opening date has been announced.
Also joining the mall is Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, which will move into a first-floor kiosk near Macy’s and will sell milkshakes, crepes, croffles (sweet croissant waffles), ice cream and acai bowls in addition to smoothies.
Headquartered in Kuwait, Bora Bora began in 2019. While the chain still primarily operates in the Middle East, it has expanded to the U.S. with six locations in New York, one in Dearborn, Mich., and one in Chicago Ridge, Ill. The Tysons Corner Center location will be the first in the DMV.
The mall’s east end has been emptied for a major renovation. Construction began July 8 and is expected to finish by March 2025.
The overhaul led to La Sandia’s closure in June, but other tenants like Barnes & Noble, which will open a new, smaller store next spring or summer, and Old Navy, which is now at the other end of the mall near Bloomingdale’s, moved.
In addition to making way for new retailers, including Maggiano’s, the Cheesecake Factory, which are both moving from Tysons Galleria, and Level 99 — with 40 themed mental and physical challenge rooms, a restaurant and a bar — the redevelopment will upgrade the central common area with new flooring and ceiling treatments, upgraded lighting and a hanging art installation.
Karizma Indian Debuts with A La Carte Menu
Karizma Modern Indian, 611 I St. NW in Penn Quarter, opened Sunday in a refreshed space and will hold its grand opening this Sunday.
Karizma Modern Indian will serve an a la carte menu in the refreshed Karma Modern Indian space in Penn Quarter. (Photo: Karizma)
At the same time, sister restaurant Karma Modern Indian, which shares the same address, transitions to a reservations-only tasting menu with a separate entrance. Chef Ajay Kumar oversees both kitchens.
The menu at Karizma includes Karma’s Nirvana 37, which features 37 hand-selected ingredients that reflect the vibrant and diverse flavors of the Indian subcontinent.
Karizma menu highlights include fennel paneer tikka, Awadhi lamb chops and Amritsari snapper, all of which are perfect for sharing. Family-style entrées feature nariyal chili prawns, a coconut and chili-infused dish, and the Goan lamb vindaloo, inspired by the coastal cuisine of Goa. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Karma will only serve a 4-course ($95), 6-course ($125) and 9-course ($185) tasting menu. The immersive culinary journey, is Kumar’s take on traditional Indian flavors paired with modern techniques. The tasting menu can also be customized as vegetarian. Optional wine pairings can be added to each course.
Torchy’s Tacos Opens First DMV Restaurant
Torchy’s Tacos opened its first DMV location at 12266A Rockville Pike, Rockville in Federal Plaza, on Oct. 2.
Torchy’s Trailer Park taco (Photo: Torchy’s Tacos)
Austin, Tex.-based Torchy’s Tacos features “Damn Good” tacos including fan favorites like the Trailer Park Taco and green chile queso. The restaurant also has a full-service bar with an extensive selection of margaritas and craft beer. With more than 125 locations across 14 states, the restaurant serves made-to-order scratch tacos, sides and drinks.
The nearest locations to the DMV are Charlottesville, Va., and the Richmond area.
The Rockville location is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
First Crumbl Cookies Opens in Alexandria
The first Crumbl Cookies opened Sept. 27 in the Bradlee Shopping Center, 3618 King St., Alexandria.
Crumbl Cookies is now open in Alexandria’s Bradlee Shopping Center. (Photo: Combs Family Dentistry/Facebook)
Crumbl opened its first shop in Logan, Utah, in 2017. There are now more than 850 locations in 36 states with several in Maryland and Virginia including Falls Church, Kingstown, Lanham and Rockville.
Cookie flavors rotate weekly. This week, the website features milk chocolate chip, tres leches cake, maple cream sandwich, caramel apple, chocolate peanut butter pie and pumpkin chocolate chip.
Nat and Dovy Paukstys own the Alexandria location. Crumbl Alexandria is open from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday.
Another Crumbl Cookie franchise is set to open at 1446 S. Grant St. in Pentagon City on the ground floor of the Milton building. It is tentatively set to open in December or January.
Spice Life Indian Fare is under construction next to the Crumbl Cookies in the Bradlee Shopping Center. An opening date has not been announced.
The Indian restaurant has another location at 128 Ellington Blvd., Gaithersburg. It serves classic Northern Indian cuisine, including classic curries, vindaloo, tandoori dishes and spice bowls.
Raising Canes Opens First Fairfax County Location
Raising Cane, the popular chicken tender chain, opened its first Fairfax County location last Thursday at 6363 Seven Corners Center, replacing the former Dogfish Head Alehouse that closed two years ago. The restaurant also has a location in D.C.’s Union Station.
Raising Canes is now open in the Seven Corners Center in Fairfax. (Photo: Jared Serre)
The company-owned restaurant will not have a drive-thru like most Raising Cane’s locations, although it will have a larger-than-usual dining room due to the space’s history as a dine-in restaurant.
It is open from 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Peter Chang Opens Herndon Restaurant
Peter Chang Herndon, 2322 Silver Way, Herndon, opened Sept. 28 in Arrowbrook Centre, the mixed-use development near the Innovation Center Metro station.
Peter Chang Herndon is now open near the Innovation Center Metro station. (Photo; Peter Chang Herndon)
Unlike banquet-style dining at most other Peter Chang locations, the 3,500-square-foot restaurant features a tapas-style menu like the Chang family’s last two restaurants, Peter Chang Gaithersburg and NiHao in Crystal City.
The menu features signature dishes like steamed BBQ pork bao, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, spicy dry fried eggplant and vegan spicy dan dan noodles. There is a full-service bar.
The Herndon location is the Chang’s second Fairfax County restaurant, joining another Peter Chang McLean. The family also runs Mama Chang and Lu Wei by Peter Zhang in Fairfax City.
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Dunkin’ Opens Walk-Up Shop in Chevy Chase
Dunkin’ opened its new “next generation” donut shop at 2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 100, at the Friendship Heights Metro Station in Chevy Chase.
Dunkin’ opened a new walk-up location at the Friendship Heights Metro station. (Photo: Dunkin’)
The 400 square-foot store is located next to the bus and train platforms and is the first in Maryland to operate exclusively with a walk-up window.
The shop includes a full menu and has about a dozen employees. As part of the company’s next generation concept, it has a modern design, including a tap system serving eight cold beverages.
The shop is owned by Boris Lander and Jesse Luise of Bethesda-based franchisee The Luis Group and open from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
California Tortilla to Open in Montgomery County
California Tortilla has signed an agreement with a new franchise group to open a new location in Montgomery County early next year. The group consists of Erin Bila, a former employee at the Olney location, her husband, Rogerio, and business partner Dilshad Awan.
California Tortilla will open a new store along Rockville Pike between Chevy Chase and Gaithersburg. (Photo; California Tortilla)
Potomac-based California Tortilla has nearly 50 stores in the DMV. Its first location opened on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda in August 1995.
The new Montgomery County location will be located somewhere between Chevy Chase and Gaithersburg, likely along Rockville Pike.
According to a press release, the company is looking to grow further around Baltimore and D.C. and to span out along the East Coast, with a goal of adding 100 new locations in the next five years.
The brand already has six county locations. All three partners reside in the county – the Bilas in Damascus and Awan in Rockville – and have extensive restaurant experience. Erin started in the industry working at the Olney California Tortilla and went on to work at one of the largest Dunkin’ franchisees in the state, where she is still employed. Rogerio and Dilshad also worked for Dunkin’ but are now developing their new California Tortilla franchise full-time.
Tatte Set to Open 2nd Maryland Location This Winter
Tatte will open its second Maryland bakery and café at 12232 Rockville Pike, Rockville, in the Towne Plaza in late December or January.
Tatte will open a new bakery in Rockville Towne Plaza in late December or January. (Photo: Tatte)
Tatte opened its first Maryland location at 7276 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, in March 2021.
The bakery and cafe serves pastries, desserts, brunch dishes, quiche, soups, salads, sandwiches and bowls. Some menu items include lamb kebab pita, short rib grilled cheese, a prosciutto and fig panini, three shakshukas, artichoke and feta quiche and coffee.
Tzurit Or founded Tatte Bakery 16 years ago in her home kitchen, selling her creations at the Copley Square farmers market in Boston. Or, a former film producer, is a self-taught pastry chef and cook.
Tatte will also open another location at Westbard Square shopping center, 5400 Westbard Ave., Bethesda, this winter. Tatte has 14 other locations in the DMV including City Center DC, Clarendon, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, National Landing, Old Town and Reston.
Dolan Uyghur Coming to Falls Church
Dolan Uyghur, which has locations in D.C. and Chantilly, plans to expand further with a new Falls Church location.
Stir-fried pepper steak sautéed with onions, green and red peppers. (Photo: Dolan Uyghur/Facebook)
The new restaurant hopes to open at 400 S. Maple Ave. in the space formerly occupied by Pizzeria Orso by Oct. 18. Owner Hamid Kerim also plans to open another location in Crystal City, but its opening date has been pushed back from November to February or March 2025.
The restaurant’s menu features Central Asian flavors with Greek, Persian and Arabic influences. Specialties include roasted lamb, hand-pulled noodles and kebab-style dishes.
The Falls Church location plans to add breakfast and brunch service along with some new Turkish and Mediterranean items.
L&L Hawaiian BBQ to Open 1st Maryland Location
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is set to open its first Maryland location soon at 785 Rockville Pike, Suite G, in the Ritchie Center. The restaurant replaces the former Superbowl Noodle House, which closed in March.
Spam musubi from L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. (Photo: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue/Facebook)
L&L’s serves “Hawaiian comfort food” with Asian and American fusion dishes such as BBQ beef bowls, cheeseburgers, chicken katsu, spam musubi and loco moco — hamburger patties over rice with brown gravy and fried eggs.
With more than 200 locations nationwide, including 70 in Hawaii, the nearest location is in Annandale. The Rockville location is expected to open by the end of the year.
According to its website, L&L began as a chain of drive-in restaurants serving fresh plate lunches throughout the Hawaiian islands. In late 1999, it introduced its signature, Asian and American fusion take to California. Since then, the chain has opened restaurants in Hawaii, California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Texas, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Japan.
New Sports Bar Coming to Virginia Square
Richmond-based sports bar Wood & Iron Gameday Restaurant and Bar will open in Virginia Square next year on the ground level of The Fuse at Mason Square, a new mixed-use building planned for George Mason University’s Arlington campus.
Smoked wings from Wood & Iron Gameday Restaurant and Bar. (Photo: Wood & Iron/Facebook)
The nine-story building has a targeted completion date of next May, with the bar expected to begin serving diners later next year.
Wood & Iron serves classic bar food, with dishes including jumbo pretzels, smoked jalapeño poppers, burgers and wings with almost a dozen different sauces. The spiciest wing sauce, “Waiver Wire Fire,” requires a customer’s signature to order it.
“It’s not as heavy on the traditional sports bar theme as you would expect,” co-owner Steve Rogge said. “While we will have a great view of TVs from every seat and it will be the perfect place to cheer on your team, we pride ourselves on being a restaurant that caters to everyone even when a game’s not on.”
The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner weekdays, with extended weekend hours including brunch and a 2 a.m. closing time.
El Fuego Closes in Arlington’s Lyon Park
El Fuego Peruvian Kitchen, 2300 N. Pershing Drive, in Arlington’s Lyon Park neighborhood closed after about six years there.
El Fuego Peruvian restaurant, in Arlington’s Lyon Park neighborhood, has closed. (Photo: El Fuego/Facebook)
The Peruvian restaurant’s signage was removed, the interior appears empty and its website is gone. According to comments on its Instagram page, El Fuego closed at least five weeks ago.
El Fuego founder Manny Alfaro started the eatery in 2010 as a food truck, combining traditional Peruvian food with Chinese and Japanese influences. It spent several years on the road before opening the Lyon Park restaurant in fall 2018.
In 2021, the restaurant was sold and garnered a write up from Washington Post food critic Tim Carman.
A few doors down, the former Astor Mediterranean also sits vacant.
