Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Japanese restaurant coming to Annandale

Annandale is getting a new Japanese restaurant. A sign at 7358 Little River Turnpike says Issho Izakaya & Sushi is coming soon. It’s going into the space formerly occupied by the Baden Baden Korean restaurant and karaoke bar, between Laundromat and Gopchang Story BBQ in the Little River Shopping Center. For those unfamiliar with an … Continued

Ramen restaurant coming to Pinecrest Plaza

Kajiken, a Japanese ramen restaurant, is going into the former Foxfire Grill space at Pinecrest Plaza. Foxfire closed in November. Kajiken specializes in abura soba, which it describes as “soupless ramen.” It’s made with thicker, chewier noodles than regular ramen and can be ordered with a variety of toppings and spices. Options include spicy cod … Continued

New Korean restaurant opens in Annandale

A new Korean barbecue restaurant, called Mad for Grill, opened in Annandale on Jan 15. It’s located at 7315 Little River Turnpike in the space formerly occupied by Nak Won Restaurant and Nak Won Catering. Barbecue entrees, such as marinated short ribs or pork belly, are cooked on the table. Some of the other menu … Continued

Culinary training available for offenders

The Office of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney and its partner agencies celebrated the anniversary of the Taking Root diversion program and announced a new component to teach graduates culinary skills. Taking Root provides extensive, individualized services to people charged with non-violent offenses. Offenders accepted into the program receive case management, mental health assessments, substance … Continued

New dining options at the Eden Center

Lots of new things are going on at the Eden Center, the Vietnamese-focused shopping center in Seven Corners. A sugarcane juice shop, called Mia & More, opened Dec. 29. Crabby Noodles, a restaurant specializing in pho and seafood, also opened last month. And the Pop Up District, a food hall plus short-term popup shops, is … Continued

Crabby Noodles opens in the Eden Center

Crabby Noodles, a new restaurant at the Eden Center in Seven Corners, offers Vietnamese and Cajun-style seafood with a focus on crab meat. The restaurant, at 6795 Wilson Blvd., is in the former Mango Mango spot. The interior has been totally redone. Menu highlights pointed out by co-owner Charlie Le include crabby pho; spicy lemongrass … Continued

Guapo’s brings Tex-Mex flavors to Merrifield

Guapo’s, a Tex-Mex restaurant, is now open in Merrifield. The owners are planning a grand opening celebration on the evening of Jan. 10 with live salsa and mariachi music. The restaurant is located in a long-vacant building at 3052 Gate House Plaza that housed Chevy’s several years ago.   Guapo’s features such standard Tex-Mex fare … Continued

Taco restaurant coming to Barcroft Plaza

Chef Basir Ahadi hopes to open Taco Zocalo in Barcroft Plaza at the end of January or February. This will be the fourth Taco Zocalo location. The restaurant will focus on Mexican street food, including tacos, burritos, and chimichangas. Everything is made fresh, Basir says. The meat is marinated in-house, and the hot sauces, salas, … Continued

Hot chicken restaurant to open in Annandale

A Crimson Coward is coming to Annandale. The Annandale/Mason District area has a ton of chicken restaurants, and now we’re getting another one: Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken is coming to the vacant storefront at 7004 Columbia Pike in the Annandale Shopping Center between Collector’s World and Sweet Frog. Some of the items on the … Continued

Thai restaurant opens in Annandale

A new restaurant in the Bradlick Shopping Center in Annandale specializes in the cuisine of northeastern Thailand. Mae Ornnit opened Nov. 18 in the space previously occupied by Loopy’s at the intersection of Braddock and Backlick roads. It’s a full-service restaurant with waitstaff. Food from northeastern Thailand is salty, sour, and uses a lot of … Continued

Restaurant owner loses family in Gaza

The war between Hamas and Israel has hit home for local restaurateur Khalid Mekki, the owner of Bawadi Mediterranean Grill in Seven Corners. His niece and her daughters were killed when a bomb struck their home in Gaza. Mekki, a Palestinian, is hosting a fundraising event at the restaurant, at 6304 Leesburg Pike today, 6-9:30 … Continued