Local Food

Welcome to Casual Dining Out, the event series where we explore counterserve establishments, food halls, and other venues for quick bites of Asian, "fusion", and other fare! As in the past, the field for these events will typically be limited, so please RSVP quickly if you know you're coming (or drop out quickly if you can't make it to give others a chance). RSVPs will close at 4 PM the day of the event and anyone who drops afterwards may be subject to the dreaded "no show" designation. This edition: Hunan specialties and other delectable Chinese fare. As always, a bonus activity could follow if the mood is right. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

Our NEIGHBORHOOD GEMS series features emblematic meals from around the world. This series shines a light on local restaurants and is designed to bring together inquisitive foodies and dishes that are unique and oh so worth a trip on roads less traveled! Join us for authentic Greek & Turkish dishes at ***Smyrna***! **From Northern Virginia Magazine** Chef Zeynep Güngören hails from Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. Izmir, known as Smyrna until 1930, is located on the Aegean Sea. Not surprisingly, given its location, Greece and Turkey have squabbled over the city for millennia. The ancient site was once famous as one of Greece’s most important ports and later became a key site in Alexander the Great’s empire. Even today, its residents share strong influences of both countries. An aesthetician by trade, Güngören is new to the world of the professional kitchen. But after taking a first bite of her tzatziki, moussaka, or baklava, diners will realize that this isn’t an inadequacy but a stroke of luck for them to be able to discover this fresh talent. Zeynep and her husband, Alp Güngören, opened Smyrna Restaurant and it has attracted a hushed buzz among area food obsessives. It’s not just the ingredients on plates that are fresh — Alp believes that Smyrna is the only restaurant in the United States serving the Izmir-inspired, pan-Aegean cuisine in which he and his wife trade. For diners who can’t decide between Greek and Turkish for their next meal out, Smyrna has tastes of both, but national borders shouldn’t dictate what one orders. Zeynep cooks the food of her Aegean family, which combines the influences of her Greek grandmother and her parents, including her Turkish chef father. “Our goal is to transport our guests to the warm shores of the Aegean,” says Alp. The young couple settled in the U.S. five years ago, with Alp previously working at Michelin-recognized Levantine restaurant Ala and Turkish restaurant Ottoman Taverna, both in DC. It was his dream to have a business of his own with his wife’s big flavors on full display. This is a service to us, complete with the well-versed front-of-house team he manages. To attract neighborhood diners, the couple, who also are parents to two young children, offer low-cost prix fixe menus that make every day at Smyrna feel like Restaurant Week. For $35, dinner guests are treated to four courses known as the Aegean Odyssey. It’s a good starting point, but reasonable prices on the á la carte menu mean that for most, it’s worth a few more dollars per person to order dishes like the spread sampler. I always thought tzatziki was a little boring, more worthy of inclusion in a gyro than as a stand-alone appetizer. That was before I tried Zeynep’s version. Singing with mint and with a light pucker of fresh yogurt, the cucumber dip tastes new. Fewer diners will be familiar with Turkish atom, a crave-worthy portion of labneh (strained yogurt) that’s given a spicy topping of sundried chiles in sanguine-looking melted butter. Among the five other dips on the menu, hummus is the only forgettable entry, lacking in both acidity and garlic. But others make up for it. The baba ghanoush (on the menu as baba-ghannush) is exceptionally creamy, thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt to smooth out the texture of the charred eggplant with tahini. Pembe sultan pairs finely chopped beets with labneh and garlic for a sweet surprise that never verges on dessert. Her dolmades will win over even a diner who dislikes grape leaves. The warm center of rice is dotted with pine nuts for texture and sweet dried black currants. They’re served in pools of tangy yogurt sauce that enliven each comforting bite. Whatever starter diners choose, they should add the saganaki for the entertainment alone. The server who lit our portion of stretchy kasseri cheese aflame with a dousing Metaxa, a Greek muscat-blended spirit, looked genuinely gleeful to play with fire for us. The lemon-tempered result was every bit as delightful on the palate. Among entrées, moussaka, with its pairing of melty kashkaval cheese and bechamel sauce, is a lush, mouth-coating extravaganza of texture and flavor. The eggplants and potatoes layered with ground beef are tender, but never mushy. A bowl stacked with petite Turkish manti — beef-filled dumplings in dueling garlicky yogurt and spicy tomato-based sauce — is just as satisfying, in part thanks to a shower of mint. But an argument could be made to skip the entrées and order multiple starters and desserts. The chocolate baklava isn’t just filled with chocolate, it is made with layered leaves of chocolate phyllo dough, then finished with chocolate ice cream. Excessive? Yes, in the best possible way. The pastry is far from dry but doesn’t suffer from even a hint of the waterlog that baklavas often do. It crackles and shatters outside and oozes from within. But to stop there would mean missing out on the other pleasures at hand. Chocolate fiends could go for another application of their favorite vice and try the pasta sokolatina — Greek chocolate cake. A layer of cream rests atop pleasantly rugged cake, all enrobed in ganache. Ask the Güngörens, though, and they will say to try the rice pudding. It’s emulsified with mastic, a plant resin that’s responsible for the gummy chew of Turkish Delight, among other desserts. The cinnamon-scented, al dente grains of rice in a thick cream are oven-baked for a browned top, then served chilled. The neighborhood has welcomed Smyrna with both OpenTable Diners’ Choice and NextDoor Neighborhood Fave awards, and it can be a challenge to land a table at the small restaurant on weekends. For that reason, the Güngörens are already pondering a move to a larger spot. Zeynep says the greatest reward is that she’s making her family proud. And she’s doing it by sharing their culture with her new neighbors, transporting them, for a moment, to the Aegean coast. **Check out the menu** **[here](https://restaurantsmyrna.com/dinner-menu)** Separate checks will be arranged in advance. All diners will settle their own tabs. We ask that ALL folks honor their RSVP. If you are unable to attend after sending in a YES, please update your status so that others may join and help us support local businesses. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we will continue to limit the group size. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends. **\*\*** **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow waitlists for paid events. *If this event fills and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please send a note to the host through the Meetup app. **\*\**** In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants to keep events interesting. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GO WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. \*\* The small non-refundable registration fee helps us share the cost associated with the Meet-Up platform ($360/yr) and reduces the likelihood of no-shows, allowing us to better plan our events and accommodate all participants. Meetup charges $0.51 and Paypal charges $0.53 on the $2 registration fee. Thanks in advance for your understanding!\*\* If you are unable to join us in May, we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for a delightful dinner at Smyrna!

Come join us for a taste of Korean, Japanese & Chinese cuisine at Tilly's Kitchen in Chantilly, where we get together for some dinner and play some board games until closing time. This will be a smaller event, due to the small capacity. If you are waitlisted, please standby until a spot opens up.

Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, Divino is the perfect place to gather. Enjoy live music, handcrafted dishes, and a warm, social atmosphere. FREE PARKING GARAGE

Come out to a evening filled with fun board games at Aslin Beer Company in Herndon! We play a variety of games, including strategy, co-op, and party games! Always welcoming to people who are brand new to the hobby to those who have been playing for years! We will be meeting in the Izzi building (not the main taproom), as there is more table space there and is right next to where you can get food and drinks! There isn't a hard cap on attendees per say, but we would prefer that you sign up in advance so we have a rough head count as to whom to expect! Can't wait to see you all there!

You're invited to Weird Brothers Tabletop Tuesdays! We have some games and puzzles you can check out or bring your own and see who wants to play. Up to 16 seats available, reserve yours by selecting attend on this event.

This popular and accomplished Toastmasters club (#4787) is open to everyone, with an average of 25 people per meeting, mainly business professionals from the Reston/Herndon area. Meetings are held on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month from 6pm to 7:15pm at Conference Room #2 of the Reston Community Center: 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191. Some of the group's members are accomplished professional speakers, while others are just starting down their path of improved public speaking, including many non-native English speakers. Whether you're just starting out and looking to improve your speaking or overcome some nervousness...or looking to gain connections and sharpen your skills, you'll feel connected with the members of Reston Town Center Toastmasters. Stop by. Check us out! Chances are you'll like us so much that you'll be back! For more information: http://towncentertoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org/

Join us for a cozy evening of authentic Turkish food and great conversation at Taste of Istanbul! What started as a favorite at local farmers markets has grown into one of Northern Virginia’s hidden gems, serving freshly prepared Turkish specialties including doner, chicken and beef kofte kebabs, wraps, homemade baked goods, and delicious vegetarian options. Their warm hospitality and homemade flavors make this the perfect spot for a relaxed and memorable group dinner. Because the restaurant is small and intimate, I’m keeping this meetup limited in size so everyone can comfortably enjoy the experience and connect with each other. Please only RSVP if you genuinely plan to attend, and be sure to confirm your attendance the day before the event. We often have a waitlist, and last-minute cancellations can prevent others from joining. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as early as possible so someone else can take your spot. Come hungry and ready to enjoy great food, good company, and a fun night out exploring one of the area’s best Turkish restaurants!

**Chantilly Carb Crawl: Asian Breads & Pastries** **🍞** **Whether you’re a long-time member or this is your very first event, come with us on a mini-tour of 3 of Chantilly’s hidden gems. It’ll be a fun chance to reconnect, meet new members and enjoy some amazing breads and pastries!** **The Game Plan** ***11:00 AM — Café Moment*** **We’ll kick things off at this new cafe specializing in** **Korean Salt Bread. If you’ve never tried it, imagine eating a warm, buttery, fluffy cloud (yes, I am drooling as I write this)** **Next, we’ll head over to Mahiwaga for some warm, freshly baked** **Pandasal. If you’ve never had this Filipino classic fresh from the oven, this father/daughter team** **make** **some of the best!** **We’ll wrap up with a stop across the hall at Toimoi Bakery for their famous** **pandan and banana pudding filled croissants** **🥐.** **Can't wait to see you there! RSVP to save your spot!** [Cafe Moment](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX-C-Hmhg7g/?igsh=dHd4N2RodWwwaHo1) [Mahiwaga](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXiCy0Gz0P5/?igsh=Mm45a2c3ZWJtM2pv) [ToiMoi Bakery ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX0O-2KuRiT/?igsh=MWh2bjN4cHE1am55eg==)

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee is authentic, spacious, has a helpful staff, and I like their espresso. If you try this place on your own, they’re open early and late. This spot has been recommended a couple times and I think it’ll make a great stop on our journey. Come out Saturday morning for a relaxed convo. (Please keep your RSVP updated if you know you won't be able to attend, so others who can join have the opportunity to. No discussions on politics, religion or potentially controversial topics. We're here to relax and have fun. Just be respectful and we'll be alright. Pay your own way, and enjoy!)

Bonsoir à tous! Venez nombreux pour causer autour d'un repas ou d'un verre chez La Madeleine. On n'a que deux règles: (1) qu'on y parle exclusivement le français et (2) qu'on achète quelque chose à boire ou à manger (c'est La Madeleine qui le demande). Merci et à bientôt!

Join us for an all plant-based meal at the always popular Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant in Vienna, VA. We've made a reservation for 20 attendees, so don't delay in RSVPing as this will fill up. You can preview Sunflower's menu [here. ](https://www.crystalsunflower.com/menu) Parking is available in the restaurant's lot and the Vienna Metro station is 1.6 miles away. Rides may be available from attendees with cars so please communicate needs/availability in the comments below. Please note that there is no outdoor dining at this venue and that this is an indoor event. **Update Your RSVP** Out of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

**Rescheduled from March. Ken's Garage Band is a classic rock band that plays the hits of the 60's, 70s, 80s, and 90s. This show is a must!!! C'mon out and let's support one of our favorite local bands and good friend Tamera!!!**

Looking to connect with other young adults with food allergy? Join **Adulting with Allergies**, FARE’s social club for young adults 21 and up. **[Register Here](https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/adulting-allergies-young-adult-food-allergy-social-club)!** The goal of Adulting with Allergies is to create a space where young adults can connect, share experiences, and build community. Members can participate in quarterly virtual hangouts, as well as annual in-person events hosted in cities across the U.S. Our first **VIRTUAL** session will take place on **May 26 at 7 PM EST** and will focus on navigating food allergies in the workplace. Please note that there is no limit to number of attendees. If you're interested in registering, click the link above!

Social Sips & Bites family, Memorial Day weekend is calling and we’re bringing everyone together for a fun, relaxed picnic celebration with the SSB crew. Expect great food, sunshine, music, laughter, and that amazing Social Sips & Bites energy we all love. Bring your favorite dish to share with the group and your favorite drinks, and get ready for an afternoon of mingling, new friendships, and good vibes all around. This is the perfect chance to kick off summer with our incredible community. Contribution: $5 to help cover park setup and supplies. Please send a Venmo or Zelle to Judy Cheung before the picnic- by May 22nd. Her Venmo and Zelle infornation is in the sign up link. Her Zelle last four digits is 3353. Come hungry. Come social. Come ready for one of those classic SSB days where strangers become friends and friends become family. There is plenty of parking available and restrooms are also available at the park. Everyone should plan to bring their own beverages, a chair and a blanket if you wish. Please sign up on the link below to contribute help, food, and games. Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAAA628A7F8C34-62911568-social

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restons-outing-tickets-126314830057). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. Due to the COVID 19, we have limited spots and we allocate them, before the event, to serve our customers safely according to CDC and local governments guidelines. Hence, advance ticket purchase is required and don't try to walk-in; AS THIS RESULTS BEING REMOVED FROM THE GROUP. This is a different type of event, designed around the pandemic. ABOUT THE EVENT We go all over Virginia and canvas all cities and towns. This time it is Reston's turn. Here we come! We will be heading to____________. It is a rustic-modern spot which serves an American menu, local brews & cocktails. Ticket Price : $15 (will increase soon) Ticket price includes a half order of wings, goat cheese fritters; AND a beer or cocktail of the day. CASH BAR AFTERWARDS. As per local Government guidelines, this is a sit down dinning event. Maximum of six people will be seated per table. We have super limited space! Get your tickets ASAP. After dinner, we will rotate dinners from table to table. So that everyone meets everyone. You would get to meet your future friends/acquaintances/buddies/pals /partner-in-crimes or may be more:) - To hang out/go out or do things together. Also, this is an ideal event if you are new in town. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY AND SHOULD BE WORN AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT EATING AND DRINKING. * Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! * Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member * Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in life with us * Event is 21+ We are at 50% capacity. So, please drink for two:) As we all know, the hospitality industry is badly hit by the crisis and be generous to your bartenders and waitresses. Due to the pandemic the entire set up of this event is changed: * We will be complying with all CDC, state, and local guidelines. * Occupancy never exceeds 50%. * No Cash Transaction to reduce contamination. * All patrons must wear masks. If you don't wear a mask, we don't allow you to enter and you won't be refunded. * A thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces will be done during the event and please bear with us. * Temperature check for staff and patrons. Payment Instructions : 1. You should login from a PC to see the 'Pay Now' button, after RSVPing. Then hit the button. 2. Verify correct dollar amount for number of people you're paying for. 3. If you don't have a Paypal account, click "Pay with a Debit or Credit Card". 4. If you have a Paypal account, simply log in, and pay as you normally would via Paypal. Refund & Ticket Resell All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to those who RSVPed 'YES' advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizer a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. PARKING INFO : Free parking. However, the event involves drinking and we highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKET. IT RULES**

Come and celebrate Filipino Independence with us as we make our first trip together to the Fil-Am Fest! With plenty of good food, crafts, apparel, and stage performances, there are enough good times to go around for everyone. The festival website: [https://filamfestinc.org/](https://filamfestinc.org/) We'll do our best to pick a good Meetup spot, but this is generally situated in an area of the Fair Oaks Mall parking lot near Macy's Furniture, so we'll likely have to post our location on the message board once we arrive. Be on the lookout for it! Extra tip: I don't know if they allow camping or other portable chairs, but it may not be a bad idea to have that and possibly a little rain gear in your vehicle just in case. Bring a friend to share! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

Regular coffee meetup for people to meet, make new friends, or enjoy general conversations with coffee. Great for those who are new in town or looking for new activities to do! This will be held at Weird Brothers Coffee at Worldgate Centre in Herndon. Afterwards, if anyone is interested, we can grab lunch at whichever nearby restaurant in the shopping center. There’s a TGI Friday’s, a Thai place, a Mexican place, Inchin’s Asian fusion restaurant, and we are open to alternative preferences. Additional Note: If you are on the Wait List, you can still feel free to attend if you wish.

**NOTICE: The park is open until 8:45 PM for Sunset Closing** [https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens/events/sunset-in-the-gardens-845pm-closing](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens/events/sunset-in-the-gardens-845pm-closing) **Sunset is 8:25 PM** Fees: $5 for ages 6-17 & ages 55+, $9 for ages 18-54, and free for ages 5 & under We will meet at the visitor center. Bring Water, Tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards There is no specific route in this park. Folks are free to wander around the trails in the park at their own pace. Check out Rob Trek's video from May 16, 2021: https://youtu.be/QwNR_TuxM4Y For dinner, after the field trip around 8:30 PM, we will head to Anita's New Mexico Style Restaurant, 521 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180 https://maps.app.goo.gl/3T7gw87tjvVuwDT96 Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. Beauty, conservation, education, and discovery flourish throughout the year at this 95-acre complex of large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature. [https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/](https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/) By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

Come gather with us for a picnic at Downtown Crown's Crown Park. At this picnic you can bring food from home, or purchase something from one of the vegan friendly vendors at Downtown Crown or nearby. Some vegan-friendly businesses include &Pizza, Mezeh, The Crepe Shoppe, and Spice Life. Please make sure that the food you bring or purchase is vegan. While you do not need to be vegan to attend this event, we ask that you respect our group rules and only eat something with Rockville Vegans that is 100% vegan. Downtown Crown has outdoor seating; however, we recommend you bring a blanket and/or folding chair to ensure you have a place to sit. Please message or comment with any questions. We hope to see you there!