{What’s in that empty storefront? Which favorite chef is opening up where, and when? All those details and more in Coming Soon.

ACTIVATE

PROJECTED OPENING: Late July 2025 20964 Southbank Street, Sterling, VA Activate, the world’s first active gaming facility and viral social media sensation, will open its first Virginia location in Sterling’s Cascade Marketplace this July. The 9,212-square-foot location will deliver a mix of action-packed fun designed for players of all ages. Activate transforms group entertainment into an interactive, adrenaline-fueled experience. The Sterling location will feature 11 high-tech game rooms – including the TikTok viral Mega Grid, Laser, Scan and Control, to name a few – designed to react in real time, keeping players engaged at every turn. For more information, click here.
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{Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.

YALA GREEK ICE CREAM

3143 N Street NW Chrys Kefalas has opened his new ice cream shop, Yala Greek Ice Cream. The new shop serves up scoops using farm-fresh cream and premium ingredients from the Mediterranean in the style the Greek island his family is from serves ice cream. Flavors include options such as Baklava, Cherry Studded, Rocky Road, and more. Listen to Tommy McFly and Chrys Kefalas talk about Yala on Foodie & The Beast here. For more information, visit their Instagram @yalagreekicecream.Photo from @yalagreekicecream Instagram
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All the food news that you can use.

Spritz Season: Where to Sip Your Way to the...

Dreaming of the Amalfi Coast but stuck on the Red Line? If you can’t have that salty Italian breeze, we can at least raise a fizzy spritz and pretend. Fake it, until you make it.From classic Aperol to inventive riffs with Midori, bergamot, and even watermelon, the DMV’s spritz scene is right on time. These refreshing cocktails are a bit bitter with an effervescent fizz. Here’s where to sip your way into aperitivo hour:Ama1501 19th Street NW, DCA breezy Dupont newcomer channeling la dolce vita.Milano Spritz – A clean, classic takeFrozen Bubbly Aperitivo Spritz – Slushy, sparkling, and highly InstagrammableCaruso’s GroceryCapitol Hill: 914 14th Street SE, DCPike & Rose: 11820 Trade Street, North Bethesda, MDA retro red-sauce joint where the spritz comes with a side of nostalgia.House Spritz – Mezzodi, Cappelletti, bubblesCentrolina974 Palmer Alley NW, DCChef Amy Brandwein’s modern Italian offers a DIY approach to aperitivo.Build-your-own: Aperol, Cocchi Americano (Bianco or Rosa), Aveze, Italicus, or Campari, topped with soda or proseccoCorso1100 15th Street NW, DCNew happy hour with a colorful, playful spritz menu.Malibu Spritz – Coconut rum, lime, prosecco, pineappleIsola Verde Spritz – Midori, mint, prosecco, melonCucina Morini3011 M Street NW, DCItalian charmer with a bitter-citrus twist.Sirene Spritz – Sirene Bitter Artigianale, Cocchi Americano, lemon oleo, San Pellegrino LimonataFiola Mare3100 K Street NW, DCWaterfront views could feel like you are on the coast.Amalfi Spritz – Italicus Bergamot Aperitivo, housemade limoncello, soda, proseccoCampari Frizzante – Campari, navy-strength gin, grapefruit, lemon, egg white, sodaLa Bonne Vache1725 Wisconsin Avenue NW, DCFrench bistro flair with a Riviera state of mind.Saint-Tropez – Crémant, St-Germain, dry & blanc vermouth, lemon, apricot, bergamot, guava, mintLe Spritz – Crémant, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, orange oilL’Ardente200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, DCGlitzy and extra,  like its signature spritz.Glam Spritz – Aperol, grapefruit, bergamot, proseccoOff the Record at The Hay-Adams800 16th Street NW, DCClassic with an artful spritz program.The Lady – Campari, Select Aperitivo, Chambord, rose elixir, Cointreau, prosecco, Peychaud’s bitters, candied orange, edible flowers Bonus: The Sunset Spritz rooftop pop-up at Top of the Hay debuts this AugustOlio e Più1120 15th Street NW, DCA spritz for every personality on a lengthy aperitivo menu.Watermelon Spritz – Elderflower, watermelon, lemon, proseccoSpiritless Hugo Spritz – Nozecco, elderflower, mint (non-alcoholic)Patty O’s Café7141 Main Street, Clifton, VAA little French café serving big summer seaside vibes.Pom Spritz – Aperol, cranberry, Beefeater gin, pomegranate liqueur, sparkling wineRed Hen1822 1st Street NW, DCNeighborhood staple meets cocktail craft.Summer Spritz – Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Aperol, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon, proseccoTarì Trattoria2002 P Street NW, DCNewly opened and already shaking up the spritz world with Italian flair.Ramona – Mezcal, prickly pear, Cinque Aperitivo, grapefruit sodaCosta – Vodka, limoncello, cedro soda, lemonThe Point2100 2nd Street SW, DCBuzzard Point’s waterfront crowd-pleaser, perfect for sipping with seafood.Summer Strawberry Spritz – Elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, rhubarb bitters, sparkling rosé, strawberriesWaldorf Astoria Washington DC1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, DCLuxe with a spritz as polished as the lobby.Housemade Limoncello Spritz – A zesty sip of Riviera eleganceNo Amalfi views? No problem. These bubbly beauties bring the coast to your coupe.
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Where is Nycci? Here, there, and everywhere in media outlets across the city.

Eater: Moon Rabbit hosts top female pastry...

This Sellout Collab Pizza in D.C. Is Here to Stay; Plus, a Mount Pleasant mainstay celebrates seven years, Moon Rabbit hosts top female pastry chefs (featuring mini interviews by Nycci Nellis), and more intel from Emily Venezky for Eater DC, here.Photo: Maria Rebrikova for Slice & Pie 
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Take a deep dive into the Industry and beyond.

Industry Night: The Cocktail Culture with...

Hey there, Nycci Nellis here, and welcome to another episode of Industry Night!Today’s show is a special one. I’m coming to you from the gorgeous, sun-dappled patio of a.kitchen+bar in the West End of DC. Seriously, it’s a little oasis right in the middle of the city, so chic.Later in the show, I am joined by two of DC’s biggest hospitality stars,  Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley. You know them from the award-winning Service Bar, Causa, and Amazonia, and we dive into their journey, their evolution, and what’s next for their ever-growing culinary empire.But first, I kick things off with the a.kitchen+bar team. Big thanks to Ellen Yin and crew for hosting us. Ellen, as many of you know, is a James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurateur and a powerhouse in the industry.I catch up with Ellen and Diana Kendrick about what’s happening her at a.kitchen+bar, including a BBQ series that’s bringing top chefs, and a whole lot of heat.To all my Industry Night listeners, thank you. Whether you’re tuning in on your favorite podcast platform or watching on YouTube, I’m so grateful for your support.Be sure to subscribe, never miss a morsel, and I’ll see you next time on Industry Night!Listen to the full episode here or watch it here.  
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