Page 19 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter/Spring 2023

TOP CHEFS
Northern Virginia is the location of choice for a number of the region’s top chefs, many of whom have explored other cities but eventually come home to open their dream restaurants. In Arlington, hometown Chef Matt Hill opened his own restaurant during the pandemic after leading kitchens in several favourite local restaurants. His new venture, Ruthie’s All Day, is a family restaurant with a nod to Hill’s personal affection for barbecue. In the town of Vienna, Chef Evan Monat-Edel- stein brings true innovation to Latin American flavours at Blend 111, which may look like a coffee shop on the surface but provides so much more. Chef Ben Pflaumer, a veteran of several top dining spots along the U.S. East Coast, recently took the helm to showcase his talents at Alexandria’s long-time favourite Vermilion, which features contempo- rary American flavours with a few of Pflaumer’s own specialties.
SIP AND SAVOUR
With more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, some 35 craft brew- eries connected by the LoCo Ale Trail and a slate of superb artisanal distilleries, Loudoun’s immersive experiences make it a world-class craft beverage destination. Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District in the picturesque Middleburg area hosts the world’s largest planting of the Norton grape but also a full creamery—perfect for that cheese and wine pairing. Sunset Hills Vineyard powers its winery with 245 solar panels, providing sustainable power for 75 percent of the winery’s annual needs and essentially turning sunshine into wine! But those aren’t the only places to enjoy a special libation in Northern Virginia. Check out Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, Aslin Beer Co. in Fairfax County or New District Brewing in Arlington. There are endless oppor- tunities to discover your new sips.
DINE AROUND THE WORLD
With its proximity to the nation’s capital and several international airports, Northern Virginia has always been a culturally diverse region. And now, foodies can experience that diversity through var- ious global spots as authentic as walking the streets of the cuisine’s native homeland. A visit to any of the three locations of Our Mom Eugenia is like visiting a Greek grandma’s dinner table. Lebanese Tav- erna celebrates traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, and Amoo’s Restaurant showcases the true flavours of Persian seafood, but do not miss trying the saffron ice cream. Ambar, in Arlington’s Clarendon neighbourhood, is a lively gathering spot demonstrating small plates from the Balkans, and BARCA Pier and Wine Bar, perched on old ship- ping containers along Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront, is akin to sitting with cocktails and tapas along the waterfront in Spain. Incheon Restaurant transports diners to Korea for authentic Korean fusion and cool cocktails, and it’s Oktoberfest year-round at Cock and Bowl Belgium Bistro in historic Occoquan. DS
PHOTOS: KRISTIAN SUMMER/VISIT ALEXANDRIA | PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY | ABOUD DWECK | REY LOPEZ | PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
BREAUX VINEYARDS, LOUDOUN COUNTY
THE CONCHE, LOUDOUN COUNTY
TIN CANNON BREWING CO., PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
DID YOU KNOW?
Loudoun County has its own yeast scien- tist. Jasper Akerboom isolates unique yeast strains in Loudoun for local brewers and became famous for creating a strain of yeast from a whalebone fossil that was then used in Loudoun’s Lost Rhino Brewing Company’s Bone Duster’s Paleo Ale.
WINTER/SPRING 2023 DREAMSCAPES 19