Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Check out these recent openings, which take you on a global culinary adventure without leaving the DMV. Plus, we’ve got coming-soon eateries and new offerings at old favorites.
Now Open
Blazin Chicken & Gyro
With locations in New York and New Jersey, this fast-casual eatery now comes to Tysons. On the menu are falafel, meat and fish gyros, fajitas, salads, burgers, wings and fried fish, shrimp and chicken bites. Save room for a milkshake in fun flavors such as Fruity Pebble, Oreo Fudge, Banana Pudding and Pistachio. Opened: Dec. 7 // 7502 Leesburg Pike, Tysons
Seoul Prime Korean Steakhouse
Founders Row is fast becoming a foodie destination in The Little City. Already home to Ellie Bird, Nue and Chasin’ Tails, the mixed-use building now welcomes this Korean steakhouse, where meat is cooked in front of you on a tabletop grill. The menu includes appetizers such as galbi-jjim risotto with soy-braised short rib ($28) and signature dishes such as Korean wheat noodles and Soybean Brisket Stew. If you’re a meat lover, go for the Seoul Prime Tour, a sampler of four cuts of Angus beef, including dry-aged ribeye and flat iron. The restaurant also serves, beer, wine and signature cocktails such as Misu Eggnog and Yuja Margaritas. Opened: Dec. 6. // 106 Founders Ave., Falls Church
Shorty’s Deluxe
Chef and butcher Nate Anda of Mosaic District’s Red Apron and Alexandria’s Hi Fi Tex Mex BBQ is behind this new sandwich shop in Del Ray. Sammies, available in four sizes, are named after members of punk-rock band The Ramones and include the Joey (prosciutto cotto, finocchiona, spressata, mortadella, provolone cheese and olive salad) and the Tommy (marinated artichokes, giardiniera, roasted peppers and green beans). Find soups and salads on the menu, too. // 2016 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Mister Days Sports Rock Café
Five years after it shuttered, the beloved Clarendon sports bar has been resurrected across the street from the old spot. Stop by for happy hour deals 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, when house wines are $2 off, soft pretzels with cheese are $6 and firecracker shrimp are $11. A preview of the regular menu shows cocktails such as the PB&J Up ($12) featuring Jack Daniels, peanut butter whiskey, black raspberry liqueur, sweet vermouth, graham cracker rim and a dipper of peanut butter. On the bar food list, find wings, parmesan truffle fries, burgers and a blackened salmon sandwich. Opened: Nov. 25. // 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Scolopasta
Joining the dining scene on the third floor of Tysons Galleria is this pasta place is known for its house-made noodles. Create your own dish by selecting your preferred pasta shape, sauces and toppings, such as meatballs and burrata. If you have decision paralysis, go for a Chef’s Favorite, such as shrimp scampi or The Hulk, which has casarecce pasta, chicken and pesto. Look for another location to open soon in Ballston. Opened: Nov. 21. // 2001 International Drive, McLean
Taqueria Xochi
New to the neighborhood surrounding Amazon’s HQ2, this taqueria is the first for the chainlet outside of D.C., where it has two locations. Serving authentic Mexican homestyle dishes and street foods, the menu includes tacos, tortas, nachos, quesadillas, loaded fries and mulitas (crispy stuffed tortillas). Choose fillers such as beef birria, carne asada, tinga, chorizo or vegetarian options, including cactus and mushrooms. Opened: Nov. 19. // 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)
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Bees & Tea
Formerly part of the now-closed Asia Bistro and from the owners of Saigon Saigon, this concept serves milk tea, fruit tea, boba, spring rolls, potstickers and dumplings. Opened: Nov. 20. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
New Offerings
Ambar
Find new dishes on the Unlimited Weekend Brunch Experience menu at this Balkan restaurant. For $42.99, guests can now enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of Mushroom Pilav (porcini and cremini mushrooms with rice and root veggies), Cevapi “Balkan Kebab” (house-ground beef on spicy feta), and Pulled Pork Benedict (slow-roasted, caramelized pork with OJ and condensed milk on an English muffin). Satisfy a sweet tooth with the S’mores Waffle, topped with chocolate sauce, graham crackers and marshmallows. Boozy accompaniments include mimosas, red wine punch and Bloody Marys. // 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Burger 7
Throughout the holiday season, this chainlet with locations in Arlington and Falls Church is offering a savory and sweet Bistro Burger with caramelized onions, brie cheese and apricot jam and a baklava milkshake with chunks of homemade baklava. // 2515 Langston Blvd., Arlington, and 7505 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
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Immigrant Food
Don your ugliest holiday sweaters now through the end of December and get a free plate of Hong Kong French Toast (peanut butter, condensed milk and strawberry jam) during brunch when the whole table follows the dress code. Also, the restaurant offers $1 refills on orange mimosas on the weekends, and kids 12 or younger get half off kid-friendly items on the brunch menu. // 4245 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Jeni’s Ice Cream
Get a scoop—or two—of holiday flavors while you can. They include temptations such as Iced Molasses Gingerbread (spiced molasses cream with gingerbread cookies and white icing swirl), Lemon Crinkle (buttery lemon cream with a ribbon of sweet cream), and Seven-Layer Bar (bittersweet chocolate pockets and brown sugar crumble in coconut-scented toasted caramel cream) and returning favorites, such as White Chocolate Peppermint (pink and white peppermint with white chocolate). // 4150 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Jinya Ramen Bar
Through Feb. 28, find Curry Rice Croquettes stuffed with white cheddar cheese and Red Garnet Ramen, made with vegetable broth, white and green onion, pork chashu, spinach, kikurage, thick noodles, and chili garlic sauce. Plant-based substitutions are also available. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston), and 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Tacombi x El Califa de León
Foodie alerts! From Dec. 12-26, the Mexican taqueria with locations around the DMV is partnering with Mexico City’s El Califa de León, the first taqueria to earn a Michelin star. Together, they will offer four special menu items: bistec (steak), Costilla (beef rib), gaonera (sliced beef) and chuleta (pork chop) tacos. // 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Wagamama
After opening in Clarendon over the summer to much fanfare, this pan-Asian eatery is now offering a tasting menu with four courses and sake for $30. Available through January, dishes include chicken katsu curry, Korean fried chicken bao and edamame. // 2950 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Coming Soon
The Flight Wine Shop
Husband-and-wife team Kabir Amir and Swati Bose will open this wine lovers’ paradise in National Landing next month. It will feature “about 300 selections of smaller production, minimal intervention (organic, sustainable) wines, with roughly 70% from Old World producers and 30% from the New World. Most bottles will be priced between $15 and $30, though the offerings will also include some higher-end wines from regions such as Bordeaux and Champagne,” our food critic, David Hagedorn, writes. // 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)
Little Beast Café & Bistro
This D.C.-based pizzeria is opening an outpost in The Little City. Specializing in brick oven and Detroit-style pies, the spot will also have a takeout bakery. // 111 E. Broad St., Falls Church
Pop Up District
The Eden Center is getting a food hall in the space formerly occupied by Cho Eden Supermarket. It will have five restaurants and a bar, plus another stall for rotating pop-up businesses. From 7 a.m.-6 p.m., find casual eats from Eatsy (Thai street food), The Beat (Korean ice cream and bakery), Sun-C (Vietnamese street food) Honey Pig Cupbop (Korean barbecue) and Doppo (Vietnamese café and banh mi shop). But from 6 p.m.-2 a.m., the switch flips and the space will welcome DJs, dance nights and musical performers. // 6763 Wilson Blvd., Fairfax
Simply Banh Mi
Taking over the former Lee’s Sandwiches storefront in Ballston, this restaurant began in the basement of owner John Tran’s mother’s Georgetown bridal shop. Now it’s expanding across the Potomac to serve sandwiches, pho and build-your-own rice and vermicelli noodle bowls. Pair your order with a sweet Vietnamese iced coffee, boba tea or Wild Bay Kombucha. // 801 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Ballston)
Shut
Asia Bistro
The sushi restaurant and bar at Westpost closed on Nov. 13 after 20 years in business. // 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Hunan Gate
The 40-year-old family-owned corner restaurant in Ballston will close this month, when the owners retire. // 4322 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Hunan Village
After 39 years, this Langston Boulevard staple is closing its doors. // 4775 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Langston Boulevard)