Posts Tagged ‘New to the Neighborhood’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, December 15th, 2008
Courtesy of Afterlife 360
Daniel Barnes is looking to paint Manassas green—starting with the new, eco-friendly Afterlife360. A hospitality veteran, Barnes has partnered with his mother, Nora Barnes to launch their first family-run restaurant.
Afterlife boasts salvaged church pews (over 150-plus years old) as booths, a smoke-free lounge hosting acoustic music performances and fully organic kitchen (utilizing everything from trans fat-free oil down to filtered cooking water).
“We’ve always thought of ourselves as king of a community center,” he said of the family’s holistic restaurant vision.
The menu is set to include: wasabi hummus, bison burgers, fish tacos (tilapia or swordfish), fresh fruit plates and organic peanut butter-and-honey sandwiches for kids.—WR
8090 Sudley Road, Manassas; www.afterlife360restaurant.com. Open for dinner and late-night dining daily.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, December 15th, 2008
Courtesy of PassionFish
D.C.’s Passion Food group moves west this fall with the debut of PassionFish.
A PassionFish spokeswoman described the restaurant as “sort of an evolution … of DC Coast,” adding that the PF principals are excited about launching a holistic eatery focused on bringing “a global sense of ingredients” to the table.
The two-story property will feature amenities like a central “chilled seafood station,” open kitchen, hideaway banquet rooms and a cluster of semi-private “chef’s tables” for intrepid diners.
Acadiana toque Christopher Clime is moving over to lead the PF kitchen and is expected to focus on customer favorites like bisques, chowders, po’boys and shellfish, while also unveiling some new sushi-style/crudo creations.—WR
1875 Explorer St., Reston Town Center, Reston; www.passionfishreston.com. Open for lunch, Monday through Friday, dinner and late-night dining daily, Sunday brunch.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, December 15th, 2008
Courtesy of Capital Ale House
Fred Vegas beer geeks, your prayers have been answered: The Richmond-based Capital Ale House is moving into town.
CAH founder Matt Simmons said the new Fredericksburg location should feature around 60 to 70 taps, rotating cask-conditioned ales and close to 250 bottled beers.
“We kind of hang our hat on beer,” he said of their hop-heavy business plan.
Look for most of the action to take place at the central 80-foot bar, though there’s also be a dedicated beer cellar and multiple dining rooms. Do not, however, come in search of prime-time entertainment, because they’ve got a strict no-TV policy.
“We’re kind of all about conversation,” Simmons suggested.
Look for contemporary American cuisine, including brunch beer pairings and late-night nibbles like grilled-sandwich flights.—WR
917 E. Caroline St., Fredericksburg; www.capitalalehouse.com. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily, Sunday brunch.
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, December 15th, 2008
Ray's Hell Burger
Local steak baron Michael Landrum has thrown his hat into the gourmet-burger ring with Hell-Burger, a neighborhood grill bolstered by upscale fixings.
The 10-ounce burgers are made from prime aged beef (the same cuts served just a few doors down at Ray’s the Steaks) and cooked to order over open flames. Patrons are welcome to customize everything, but a trio of free bases (diablo: doused in chipotle sauce, blackened; Cajun spices; and au poivre: seared pepper crust) are provided for non-self-starters.
Gratis toppings include everything from sherry-spiked sauteed mushrooms to bread-and-butter pickle slices, while premium upgrades like applewood-smoked bacon and homemade guacamole run $1.50 extra. Gourmet cheeses (ranging from American to cave-aged Amish cheddar) are available for $1 to $5 a pop.—WR
1713 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-841-0001. Open for weekend lunch, dinner daily.
Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, December 15th, 2008
Courtesy of Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge
The Reston restaurant rush continues with the debut of Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge, a bold step for the Great American Restaurant family.
The commemorative restaurant—affectionately named for longtime GAR chef Bill Jackson—will keep things light and breezy with the open-air Lucky Lounge, an exterior bar/patio setup protected from the elements by retractable garage doors.
Meanwhile, chef Vincent Spinoso (Artie’s alumnus) has composed a hybrid menu—poised to combine Southern comfort-food staples with “the best from Coastal Flats,” according to a GAR spokeswoman—featuring: deviled eggs, steak Waldorf salad, sushi, prime rib and carrot cake.—WR
11927 Democracy Drive, Reston; www.greatamericanrestaurants.com. Open for lunch and dinner daily.