Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a new Asian fusion eatery is set to open in June at Idylwood Plaza.

Bing & Bao, a casual restaurant offering Chinese street food, will move into a vacant spot at 7505 Leesburg Pike, according to a company spokesperson.

Since the eatery doesn’t have outdoor seating and won’t be able to serve sit-down meals, the spokesperson said that Bing & Bao will only offer carryout at first.

For anyone seeking a job, the location is also hiring. People can find contact information on the eatery’s website.

Due to concerns about large gatherings, the spokesperson also said it might not host a grand opening celebration.

Going forward, the spokesperson said that eatery staff will be mindful of mandates and will reevaluate the situation as need-be.

Photo via Bing and Bao/Facebook

This op-ed was submitted by Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik on May 19. It does not reflect the opinions of Tysons Reporter. We publish op-eds and letters to the editor of specific interest to the Tysons community. Contributions may be edited for length or content. 

The people of Fairfax County are strong and resilient, more than ever during this time of COVID-19. When I speak with community members, one common question comes up: “How can I help?” Wash your hands. Social distance. Then, help feed your neighbor.

Food insecurity is on the rise. During a recent two-week period, the Capital Area Food Bank reported a demand increase of 300% compared to the same period last year. There are 70,000 families living in poverty in Fairfax County. We need to address this problem, for access to food is a human right.

I’m calling on the Providence District to reach into your pantry or grocery cart to buy a can, give a can, and donate to Food for Others. We can tackle food insecurity in our area together at home and online.

Food for Others, located in Merrifield, is a hub that supplies food to more than 2,000 families every week. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, three times more families have relied on Food for Others to feed their households. This is why I have partnered with Food for Others and neighborhoods in our district to start local food drives. You can help.

Start organizing! You can take action by reaching out to your homeowners’ association or community organization to help set up a neighborhood food drive. Establish a drop off location and spread the word to your neighbors. Organize volunteers to pick up the canned goods and produce to deliver to Food for Others.

We can help! Contact our team at [email protected] and we can work with you to organize a safe and engaging food drive that fits your community.

Canned chili, canned chicken, canned fruit, rice, spaghetti sauce, cardboard boxes and fresh produce are some of the items most in demand. If you are fortunate to have a home vegetable or herb garden, plant an additional row and donate your fresh produce to Food for Others. Your neighbors in need will thank you!

The Providence District has made so much progress already. The Falls Hill and Miller Heights organizations have each collected 800 pounds of food, and many other communities in our district have donated hundreds of pounds of food.  I can’t wait to see how big this effort can grow.

Let’s join forces and fight this battle against hunger together. I am so proud of the work the Providence District has already done to help one another. There is more work to be done to bring food security to our neighbors in need. I thank you for your help.

Photo via Providence Supervisor Dalia Palchik/Facebook

The Weekly Planner is a roundup of interesting events coming up over the next week in the Tysons area.

We’ve scoured the web for events of note in Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, McLean and Falls Church. Know of any we’ve missed? Tell us!

Tysons Corner Center is working with community members to help those in need by providing an &pizza meal to healthcare workers. Anyone who wants to sponsor a healthcare worker by providing a meal can text #FEEDTHEM to 200-03, the page said.

Those seeking live entertainment can choose to check out 1st Stage Theatre’s Facebook page, where the arts organization posts videos of its talented cast members posting videos of them performing various songs and acts.

Tuesday (May 19)

• Stuff the Bus — People can drop off non-perishable goods to help community members in need at both the  James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road) Falls Church and the Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Ave E.) in Vienna from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Virtual Mystery Fiction Book Group — At 7 p.m. people can join a virtual conversation about “My Sister, the Serial Killer: A Novel.” People must pre-register online to receive the link. This event is hosted by One More Page Books.

Thursday (May 21)

• Virtual Coffee Networking with Professionals — From 7:30-9 a.m. people can join a networking call on the topic of commercial real estate. People may preregister before the event to receive the link.
• Bourbon, Beer and BBQ takeout event — Caboose Brewing is hosting an event featuring beer and barbeque. People can preorder online and then pick up the food from 4-7 p.m. Lost Whiskey will also be offering bottles for sale at the event.
• Remote Working Webinar — From noon to 1 p.m. the Tysons Chamber of Commerce is hosting a remote event to help people think about the future of working from home. This event is free and open to the public. People should register to receive a link.

Saturday (May 23)

• Performers in Quarantine — Starting at 2 p.m. 1st Stage Theatre will hold one of its community conversations via Zoom with performances by actors in the upcoming show “The Nance share.” The actors will share what their creative experiences have been like during the pandemic.

Photo courtesy Caboose Commons

Despite the ongoing pandemic, baddpizza still aims to open a new McLean location in the next few weeks, according to Joel Salamone, the eatery’s owner.

Though there isn’t an opening date set, the upcoming location at 6263 Old Dominion Drive will “100%” be open by June, Salamone said, adding that he might open it sooner if possible.

Inspired by Buffalo-style food, the pizza parlor not only serves medium-crust pizza, but also hot wings, salads, desserts and sub sandwiches, according to its website.

Unlike other joints, baddpizza has a sweeter sauce and places toppings right up to the edge, according to Salamone.

The new location joins another in Falls Church (346 W. Broad Street), which opened in February.

Photo via baddpizza/Facebook

Nightlife is zilch in Tysons at the moment due to the pandemic. After a brief hiatus, the “Tysons After Dark” series is back to highlight different online activities from local organizations and offerings from eateries that keep people busy once the sun goes down. 

To promote its tenents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tysons Galleria is offering various at-home activities and programming.

For those seeking lifestyle inspiration, the mall is offering five different courses from tenants, each of which help with interior design, personal style or food and drink, according to the web page.

For example, BoConcepts is offering free interior design advice from an expert. People can also explore the store digitally to see what’s showcased on the floor.

While spending more time at home, people are encouraged to take care of their health and step up their beauty routine with more offerings from mall vendors. Dolce Vita Salon & Spa is offering at-home hair touch-up kits for $65+ and the Tory Burch Foundation is offering a free wellness guide.

For those feeling crafty, the mall also now offers art project blueprints on its website as well.  Offerings include chalk art, origami and floral drawing tutorials.

Anyone who wants to pick up a bite to eat from the mall can also take advantage of a spend $50 get $20 deal at participating restaurants.

Photo via Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash

Several Tysons-area eateries are among the nominees for this year’s Rammy’s from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

Announced yesterday (Monday), the nominees for several categories include restaurants in Tysons, Vienna, the Mosaic District and Falls Church.

Here are the nominations for local restaurants:

• Manager of the Year: Bethany Wagener of Alta Strada in the Mosaic District and Rizza Leguro of Founding Farmers Tysons
• Pastry Chef of the Year: Katherine Thompson of Thompson Italian
• Wine Program of the Year: Vienna’s Clarity
• Beer Program of the Year: B Side in the Mosaic District and Caboose Brewing Company in Vienna
• Restaurateur of the Year: Mark Fedorchak, Stephen Fedorchak and Brian Normile of The Liberty Tavern Group, which manages Northside Social in Falls Church, and Victor Albisu and Poca Madre of Taco Bamba Taqueria — a local chain with locations in Falls Church and Vienna

So far, the winners are expected to be announced at the awards gala in D.C. on July 26, but coronavirus-prompted closures and restrictions could alter the date.

“RAMW is considering an unspecified date later in the year with its partners at Events DC,” according to the announcement.

Congrats to the local nominees!

Photo via Thompson Italian/Facebook

(Updated 8/24/2020) Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and Taco Tuesday — and local Mexican restaurants are offering specials, to-go margaritas and more for the festivities.

Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration stemming from the Mexican Army defeating the French Empire during a battle on May 5, 1862 and — especially in the U.S. — is a day to honor Mexican culture, according to History.com.

Tysons Reporter found several restaurants offering delivery and pick-up for diners craving Mexican fare tomorrow.

Rango’s Tex-Mex & Grill (1934 Old Gallows Road) opens at 2 p.m. for Cinco de Mayo for pick-up, according to its website. The online menu for the festivities includes a family meal to feed four to five people, a “30 Taco Pack” and margaritas and sangria. Diners can also order individual Mexican dishes as well.

El Tio Tex-Mex Grill’s local spots in Falls Church (7630 Lee Hwy) and McLean (1433 Center Street) both offer pick-up and delivery. Both the Falls Church menu and McLean menu include fajita combos, Pancho platters, enchiladas, burritos and more.

Anita’s New Mexico Style Mexican Food (521 Maple Ave E.) in Vienna is open for pick-up with a menu featuring margaritas and beer, an extensive breakfast menu, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and more.

El Sol (262 Cedar Lane, Suite C) in the Cedar Park Shopping Center has a $7 to-go margaritas and $4 tequila and mezcal shots special for Cinco de Mayo, according to its Facebook page. Diners must order food and alcoholic drinks over the phone at (703) 712-7701. The menu includes tacos, quesadillas and more Mexican fare.

Wild Tacoz (7167 Lee Hwy) is offering a Cinco de Mayo special — 10% off all orders over $20 — and has delivery and curb-side pick-up options.

La Campesina Restaurant (8442 Lee Hwy) in Merrifield offers delivery and pick-up via Grubhub. The menu includes tres leches, tacos, burritos, chimichangas and more.

Taco Bamba’s spots in Falls Church (2190 Pimmit Drive) and Vienna (164 Maple Ave W.) both offer carry-out and delivery. The Falls Church menu features margarita mixes, breakfast, tacos and traditional rice pudding, while the Vienna menu has pineapple margaritas, cocktail mixers, beer, wine, breakfast dishes, tostadas, nachos, sandwiches and tacos.

With locations in Tysons (1500-C Cornerside Blvd) and Dunn Loring (2676-O Avenir Place), District Taco is offering pick-up, curbside delivery and delivery via Doordash for tacos, burritos, salads and quesadillas.

While La Sandia (7852 Tysons Corner Center) is closed, the restaurant has shared its Baja Fish Taco recipe on Facebook. Meanwhile, Tequila Grande (444 Maple Ave W.) in Vienna is closed and moving to Oakton.

Corrects name of Cedar Park Shopping Center

Photo via El Sol/Facebook

Tysons Galleria recently announced new promotions to support local restaurants and a Feeding America fund in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first promotion offers a complimentary gift card for shoppers, while the other aims to raise money for people in need.

Anyone who purchases more than $50 worth of food from either the Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s or P.F. Changs at Tysons Galleria will receive a $20 Visa gift card to use at the mall, the website said. All three of the restaurants offer curbside pickup and to-go orders so people can limit exposure out in public.

In addition, the mall is also raising money for the Feeding America® COVID-19 Response Fund.

When people post a photo of their food with the #DineDelightDonate between April 24-June 30, the mall will donate $10 for every post — up to $100,000, according to its website.

People who want to support the fund directly can donate online.

Photo courtesy David Endres

The owner of two local Popeyes locations recently donated meals to help combat food insecurity.

During digital learning supply pickup at Timber Lane Elementary School earlier this week, students who came with their families to grab a laptop and other supplies were also handed a meal courtesy of Nader Saleh, who owns both the Merrifield and Fairfax Popeyes locations.

Across Fairfax County, many students and families rely on school lunches. While Fairfax County Public Schools is offering free meals to students during the closure, Saleh said that their are kids who might fall through the cracks.

“There are a lot of kids and families who are depending on the school lunches and then when the schools close, they have been left out,” Saleh said, adding that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help those in his community.

Benjamin Chiet, the principal of Timber Lane Elementary School, gave a shoutout on Twitter to Popeyes, thanking them for the donation.

Timber Lane Elementary School is just one of the many local schools to receive meal donations, according to Saleh.

“We would like to build the bridge between our restaurant and the community,” he said, adding that he is happy to combat food insecurity however he can.

Nationally, Popeyes is part of the No Kid Hungary Campaign, which helps families supply healthy meal options year-round, according to the website.

Though Popeyes (2835 Gallows Road) in Merrifield is still open for takeout and delivery, Saleh said business has been slower than usual. Anyone interested in supporting the restaurant can order online.

Thank you, Nader Saleh of @PopeyesChicken of Falls Church & Fairfax. Every family that picked up a laptop from @TimberLaneES today was treated to a few meals from Popeyes of Falls Church & Fairfax. Thank you for helping our families! Mr. Saleh is also a @mcleanhigh parent! pic.twitter.com/J7UQUhzXvm

— Ben Chiet 🇺🇸 (@PrincipalTLES) April 8, 2020

StarNut Gourmet in McLean will be offering free coffee, breakfast and lunch this weekend to local first responders, healthcare workers and essential employees.

With the help of Tential IT, the eatery at 1445 Laughlin Ave has extended this offer to be from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, a press release said.

Though the dining room is closed, according to the press release, the coffee shop and eatery is offering curbside pickup, take out and delivery through UberEats.

People wishing to order off of the menu can call 703-749-9090. Items available include sandwiches, lattes, pastries, crepes and similar fare, according to StarNut’s website.

“StarNut Gourmet is a family-owned business established in 2002 as a Specialty Food Gift Store and an International Café,” the press release said. “Owners Hozaifa Almaleh and Samira Ardalan very much look forward to welcoming everyone back once it’s safe.”