Tysons After Dark: Celebrity-Filled Paintings at Randy’s

(Updated at 10:35 a.m. 8/12/19) Tysons may not have the liveliest nightlife at the moment, but that could soon change as more late-night restaurants and places to hang out open. “Tysons After Dark” will highlight a different spot every week.

Be sure to take a close look at the paintings if you dine at Randy’s Prime Seafood and Steaks— one of three new restaurants by Great American Restaurants at 8051 Leesburg Pike.

The restaurant’s five paintings not only feature some well-known faces, but also have some Easter eggs and surprising twists.

One shows Michelle Obama hugging former President George W. Bush. Another features “Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffet strolling along the beach with billionaire Warren Buffet.

Jack Gable, the painter for all five pieces of art, is no stranger to Great American Restaurants (GAR). Diners can find his art at all but Mike’s American in Springfield and Best Buns — the second option at the Tysons spot.

An architect introduced Gable, a Maine-based gallery painter, to GAR CEO Randy Norton about 20 years ago.

“I’m willing to do different styles,” he said, adding that he’s painted everything from rowing to sports, from historical figures to cars.

While some artists stick to a particular style, Gable said that he enjoys the challenge of different techniques and methods. “The real joy is the physical act of creating the painting,” he said.

Norton said that he and his wife Patsy choose the subjects for the paintings in Randy’s, which include Patsy with her two favorite actresses — Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Norton said he calls that one “The Three Iconic Women.”

Norton said that the painting of Washington Capital’s Captain Alex Ovechkin “was the easiest one to pick.”

“I wanted to convey the message that we do not want the restaurant to be too serious,” Norton said, adding that the paintings are meant to add a lighthearted tone to the green mohair booths and mahogany carving at the restaurant.

The fifth painting shows Bruce Springsteen performing with Clarence Clemons. “It’s not a painting you would normally see in a ‘nice’ restaurant,” Norton said.

Meanwhile at Patsy’s — the final one in the Leesburg Pike trifecta — diners can find two murals by Gable and Christopher Cart that feature about 30 individuals in as slight caricatures in carnival scenes.

Randy’s is open from 4-9 p.m. on Sundays, 4-9 on Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fridays.