(Updated at 4:50) –Archontiko is bringing modern Greek dining to McLean.
Restaurant owner Theodoros “Ted” Theodorou said Archontiko, located at 1313 Old Chain Bridge Rd., will feature a variety of modern Greek cuisine beyond the traditional fare. One point of pride for Theodorou is that every few days, the restaurant will receive a new shipment of fish brought fresh from the Mediterranean.
Theodorou is no stranger to opening restaurants in Northern Virginia — he owns Delia’s Pizzeria and Mediterranean Grille in Alexandria and restaurants in Sterling and Springfield — but he says Archontiko is specifically tailored to suit the McLean community.
“We wanted to open here because of the area and the people that live here,” said Theodorou. “The prices are very moderate. We’re not going to charge $40 for fish. It will be what people here will be able to afford.”
Construction is ongoing inside the restaurant. The location had previously been Evo Bistro, also a Mediterranean restaurant. The interior is being completely refurbished and redecorated, the walls adorned with scenes depicting Greek ruins.
Theodorou says the restaurant is aiming for a mid-November opening.
(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Rango’s Fine Tex-Mex, a restaurant coming to Tysons (1934 Old Gallows Road), is the fulfillment of a family dream.
The restaurant will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Paladar Kitchen & Rum Bar. Robert Rosa, one of two owners of the new 200-seat restaurant, says the aim is to open in early November.
The restaurant will focus on quality and generous portions, according to Rosa, with the average meal priced around $25 and the restaurant’s 27-ounce margaritas half off for happy hour.
Tex-Mex food is a family business for the Rosa family, which owns the regional Guapo’s chain. Robert has 15 years of experience working in the food industry while his father and co-owner Ismael Rosa has been working in Tex-Mex food for 30 years.
Though the older Rosa has experience running a restaurant, having opened six Guapo’s Restaurant locations, the younger Rosa said this is his first time opening a restaurant from scratch.
“I’m 27 and I noticed that there wasn’t a lot of Tex-Mex options in the Tysons [area],” said Robert. “So it’s an adventure to try this out for myself.”
Rango’s will inhabit a 6,000 square foot space that seats about 250 people, including patio areas, the Washington Business Journal reports.
Launch Day for Tysons Reporter — Today is the official launch date for the website you’re reading, Tysons Reporter. Find out more about us here. Have a news tip? Email [email protected]. As we do on our sister sites, we’ll be starting most mornings with our “Morning Notes” — links to interesting articles and social media posts around Tysons, McLean and Vienna.
New Dining Options Coming to Tysons — “More dining options are coming to Tysons Corner with the arrival of a new Tex Mex restaurant called Rango’s and a trio of Hawaiian-inspired Pokeworks locations starting next month.” [Eater]
Theater Chain Mulling Tysons Galleria Lease — “Experiential movie theater chain iPic Theaters could soon open its second D.C.-area location at the Tysons Galleria mall.” [Bisnow]
Driver Drives Down W&OD Trail — “A motorist was traveling northbound on Park Street, S.E., on Sept. 18 at 11:54 a.m. and was intending to turn into the parking lot at the Vienna Community Center when the driver mistakenly turned onto the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Trail instead, Vienna police said.” [InsideNova]
Road Closures Near Vienna Community Center — “The Town of Vienna has announced road closures near the community center for repair work during the day this week.” [Patch]
McLean 5K Scheduled Next Month — “The McLean 5K is set for Saturday, Oct. 6, at 8 a.m. This is the tenth time the event has been held in McLean.” [McLean Connection]
Madison HS Teams Awarded Plaques in Vienna — “The Madison High School Women’s Swim and Dive team, Men’s Swim and Dive team, Girls Soccer team, and Softball team were recognized for both their successes in competition and the classroom. Each 2018 team was awarded a plaque by Mayor DiRocco for their accomplishments.” [Twitter]
Honeygrow, a Philadelphia-based stir-fry restaurant, is launching in Tysons at 8399 Leesburg Pike later this week with a food giveaway and donation drive.
The fast casual chain opens tomorrow (Thursday) for a tasting preview event ahead of the grand opening on Friday (Sept. 21). Honeygrow is partnering with the charity Back on My Feet, a non-profit that helps homeless people gain independence and life skills, to give the first 100 people who donate to the organization on Friday a free stir fry or salad. All day long, $5 from each order will go to the charity.
Jen Dennis, Honeygrow’s Chief Brand Officer, said the young professionals and young families that live in the Tysons area were a large part of the demographic Honeygrow is targeting.
“The whole premise is customization,” said Dennis. “When you enter, you order on a touchscreen kiosk. Every element of the dish is customizable.”
In addition to the touch-screen kiosk, Honeygrow’s app allows customers to order ahead for pickup.
While customization is a major draw for other trendy chains targeting young professionals, Dennis said Honeygrow aims to set itself apart with the freshness of its food.
“This style of food being freshly made from scratch, which really appeals to the market of Tysons,” said Dennis. “We think our food is set apart from competition. Everything is made from scratch and made to order. Nothing sits around. There are no freezers at our locations, everything is as fresh and local as possible. Inside we have lists that display all of the local food options showing where they’re from.”
The clover honey, for instance, is sourced to Gunter’s Honey in Berryville, Virginia, while the green kale hails from Kirby Farms in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Later this fall, Dennis said the chain will be new menu items customized for the local produce offerings in the Tysons area.
