Taco Bamba
180 Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA
PROJECTED OPENING DATE: Summer 2016 (Springfield) & Fall 2016 (Vienna)
Award-winning chef Victor Albisu is expanding his Taco Bamba, a takeout taqueria, to two new locations. While each new location will have its own menu, they will all be anchored by favorites from the original. Tacos, sopes and tortas will remain the primary menu highlights, while daily specials will rotate tamales, soups and classic Mexican dishes as additional selection—each location will also offer platos fuertes and larger entrée-sized Mexican meals and will feature a menu of quesadillas stuffed with unusual fillings like squash blossoms, chilies and other traditional and non-traditional ingredients. Both the Springfield and Vienna restaurant will boast about 50 seats and 2,000 square feet. Both will keep Taco Bamba’s counter service ordering style, though the Vienna location will allow guests sitting at the bar to order from the bartender.
Praline Bakery
2985 District Avenue, Suite 140, Fairfax, VA
PROJECTED OPENING DATE: Summer 2016
Chefs Patrick Musel and Susan Limb of Praline Bakery are opening a second location. Along with Allison Bolin, they will be bringing their business to Virginia’s Mosaic District this coming Summer. The bakery will feature Praline’s signature breakfast pastries, cookies, Parisian macarons, cakes, tarts, pound cakes, celebration cakes, breads, and pastries, all created and baked onsite. There will be indoor and outdoor seating where patrons can enjoy the bakery’s freshly baked goods as well as a variety of daily sandwiches, breads, quiches, and salads available to eat in or take out.
Takumi Sushi—Now Open
This new sushi restaurant opened in the “Tulip Building” in Falls Church, taking over the former Vapor Solutions space between Smashburger and Ayoub Carpet Service at 310 S. Washington Street. Chef Jay Yu, who spent 13 years at Kaz Sushi Bistro in D.C. and also worked at Raku and Cafe Asia, heads up the new 30-seat restaurant. Takumi’s menu will be heavy on nigiri and sashimi and will also feature warm dishes like fried tofu. www.takumiva.com
Cava Grill—New Location
Cava Grill, a modern Mediterranean flavors and fresh-casual concept, has just announced its newest local expansion, adding three new Northern Virginia locations to its growing company in early- and mid- 2016. There are plans to open new restaurants in Alexandria’s Foxchase Shopping Center, Vienna Shopping Center, and Gainesville’s Promenade at Virginia Gateway, to join Cava Grill’s current five Northern Virginia locations, in Ashburn, Fairfax, Mosaic District, Tysons Corner and Reagan DCA Airport.
