Your CARE Team with Compass

03/08/2023

There's no excuse for boring dining in Northern Virginia. From delectable chicken and waffles to rich Singaporean flavors, one of these new restaurants may become your new favorite. They could be fast casual, fine dining, or something in between. Here are the most recent options.

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
- Its tapas selections include chickpea hummus; crispy potatoes with mojo rojo and, lemon-garlic aioli, and marinated olives.
2 Pioneer Mill Wy., Alexandria

Linjee Thai
- Linjee Thai serves curries, stir-fry noodles, and has a number of house specialties, including Goong Pu Pattaya (prawn shrimp, minced chicken, and crab meat with steamed broccoli in a sweet and sour sauce) and Phuket Paradise (lobster tail with bell peppers, onions, and basil in a chili garlic sauce).
6244-K Little River Tpk., Alexandria

Shah’s Halal Food
- Shah’s in Alexandria offers gyros of chicken or lamb, kofta kebabs, cheesesteak sandwiches, and burgers.
8256-B Richmond Hwy., Alexandria

Z Burger
- It offers ground beef and black bean burgers, kosher hot dogs, housemade fries, and an array of milkshakes.
684 S. Pickett St., Alexandria

Sabores Tapas Bar
- Sabores Tapas Bar promises an “authentic culinary experiences in a fun-filled atmosphere with Spanish-Latin flavors, music, décor and highest-quality ingredients,” according to its website.
2401 Columbia Pk., Arlington

Pho Ga Vang
- The menu includes chicken pho, Vietnamese chicken soup with egg noodles, and Vietnamese iced coffee.
6767 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church

Genki Izakaya
- Its specialties include a spicy cod roe in a creamy sauce with udon; a sashimi-style blue fin tuna foie gras with truffle oil; and a wagyu short rib.
9508 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax

Jiwa Singapura
- Jiwa’s Signature dishes include snow crab with chili sauce and mantou buns; steamed clams with curry leaves, chili, and curry; and braised beef shank in a spicy coconut milk.
1702-U The Galleria at Tysons, Floor 3M, McLean

ONE Bar and Grill
- On its dinner menu you’ll find crab and shrimp cakes, braised lamb shank, and risotto primavera.
10427 North St., Ste.102, Fairfax

03/07/2023

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, and for cereal lovers, it can also be the most delicious! There are numerous cereal varieties available today. This includes the chocolate variety, as well as the healthy and colorful varieties! You're sure to find something that suits your palate. Pour the milk on top and you're done! Some people even eat cereal dry from the box... To each their own! Whatever cereal you prefer, starting the day with a bowl of cereal is the only thing to do on National Cereal Day.

03/06/2023

Springfield Town Center's long-awaited redevelopment could finally see the construction of an apartment building and hotel location. The hotel, which will be owned by InterMountain Management, will have 165 rooms, while the apartment building, which will be owned by Hanover R.S. Limited Partnership, will have 460 units and would be part of the town center’s “much-desired rebirth”.

This approval comes a decade after the Springfield Mall was demolished and rebuilt as the Springfield Town Center two years later. Since the Springfield Crossing apartments were built in 2001, the area hasn't seen a single new multifamily residential unit.

In 2007, 2 million square feet of commercial space and up to 2,736 residential units, in addition to the Springfield Mall, were approved for the area where the apartment building and hotel will be located.

03/03/2023

Friday is here, and if you enjoy craft beer there are now more than 100 breweries in northern Virginia. Scenes have exploded in the last decade, so now is the time to sample some local flavors. This thriving business is attracting not only locals, but visitors from all over the world. If you enjoy craft beer, don't miss out on the best drinks to sip on while enjoying your weekend at Virginia breweries.

1. Caboose Brewing Company - 520 Mill St NE, Vienna, VA 22180
Timings – Sunday to Thursday – 8 am to 10 pm & Friday and Saturday – 8 am to 11 pm
Must Try- The Boxcar Brown Ale.

2. Crooked Run Brewing - 22455 Davis Dr Suite 120, Sterling, VA 20164
Timings – Monday to Thursday – 11:30 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday – 11 am to 10 pm & Sunday – 11 am to 5 pm
Must Try – Razzz Sour Ale.

3. Beltway Brewing Company - 22620 Davis Dr #110, Sterling, VA 20164
Timings – Tuesday to Thursday – 4 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday – 11:30 am to 9 pm & Sunday – 11:30 am to 7 pm
Must Try – Heart and Soul IPA

4. Adroit Theory Brewing Company - 404 Browning Ct c, Purcellville, VA 20132
Timings –Tuesday to Sunday – 12 pm to 7 pm & Monday – 12 pm to 9 pm
Must Try – IPA

5. Heritage Brewing Co. - 9436 Center Point Ln, Manassas, VA 20110
Timings – Monday to Sunday – 5 pm to 8 pm
Must Try – Force Multiplier Double IPA.

03/02/2023

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss

On Read Across America Day, we honor the importance of literacy in our democracy. We honor the books that encourage our children to dream big, broaden their horizons, and explore diverse perspectives and cultures through the eyes of others. We also recognize educators, parents, librarians, authors, mentors, and anyone else who promotes the power of reading to open doors to new opportunities and raise awareness of the complex world around us.

03/01/2023

“As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we'll all be better off for it.” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has died of cancer at the age of 87, was a passionate, astute and outspoken advocate of women's rights, civil liberties and the rule of law.

As serious as she was about these subjects, she also had a way of highlighting critical issues with humour, embracing her nickname "Notorious RBG".

Through immovable strength, passion, and grit, women and girls have built and shaped our world. The month of March serves as a reminder and an opportunity to honor and underscore the tenacious and powerful legacy of women.

Happy Women’s History Month!

02/22/2023

It's National Margarita Day! Take the opportunity to unwind and enjoy this delicious recipe. Try it out with your friends to celebrate!

02/21/2023

“Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighborhoods, and our joy of living. All at once.” – Chris Rose

Here are some of the Mardi Gras events happening across the DMV! We got you covered from parties to cooking classes, there is something to keep the whole family entertained!

Embassy of France Carnival and Mardi Gras Celebrations
- Enjoy a soirée of baguette slices, red wine and French hospitality at La Maison Française at the French embassy. This dinner will surely be a date night to remember.
Feb. 25 | Embassy of France
7 p.m. - 11 p.m
$85 - $885

Bayou Gras Mardi Pardi
- Experience a taste of the South. You can get king cake daiquiris and NOLA swingers to drink, and shrimp jambalaya to eat at this Fat Tuesday extravaganza. Bayou Bakery touts itself as "a New Orleans institution in the DMV" — so it will surely be a day to remember.
Feb. 21 | Bayou Bakery
7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Free

Mardi Gras Jambalaya Cooking Class
- Have you ever wanted to cook authentic jambalaya for your family or friends? Well here is your opportunity! Bon appétit!
Feb. 22 | Cookology Culinary School
6:30-8:30 p.m.
$110

Retox brunch at Clarendon Ballroom
- Who wants a detox, when you can have a retox?! Show out to Sunday brunch at Clarendon Ballroom to feast on mimosas, while listening to the hottest beats from multiple DJs.
Feb. 25 | Clarendon Ballroom
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
$25 bottomless buffet stations

02/20/2023

Just Sold!

📍 6902 Gillings Rd. Springfield, VA 🏠

Congratulations to my sellers! I really enjoyed working with them and helping them prepare for the next chapter in their lives. Thank you for trusting me and offering your patience and grace along the way! We had some challenges but we worked closely together and made it to the finish line! I'm excited about your new adventures!

Feel free to reach out with any real estate questions you may have. I can help YOU make your dream a reality. It starts with one easy phone call.

Amy DeBok
703-618-2601
[email protected]

02/18/2023

02/14/2023

No matter who you are or where you are in the world, your family and home will always hold the most affection and emotional pull for you. It's where you've built a foundation of love, warmth, and happy memories. It may not always be the building itself, but being close to your loved ones.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

02/08/2023

It's nearly impossible to discuss any era in Washington, DC history without mentioning the contributions of Black Americans. Since the city's inception, the culture of Black Americans has been inextricably linked with our nation's capital, making it the ideal place to learn about Black history—whether you're a longtime resident or just passing through. So, here's a list of the best museums in and around Washington, DC that you should visit to learn about the city's Black history during Black History Month and beyond.

MARYLAND

Prince George's African American and Cultural Museum
Where: North Brentwood
The museum offers various programs including an after school visual arts program and Museum-In-A-Box, which brings black history lessons into the classroom.

Howard County Center of African American Culture
Where: Columbia
The museum has collections from the early 1900s, and works from modern-day African-American artists from the area.

Banneker-Douglass Museum
Where: Annapolis
The museum's permanent collection explores African-American history in Maryland from 1633 to the present, profiling historical figures like Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Banneker.

VIRGINIA

Alexandria Black History Museum
Where: Alexandria
Located in Old Town Alexandria, this museum currently explores the day in the life of slaves in Alexandria and issues of preservation in the state.

Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Where: Richmond
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center celebrates the achievements of prominent black figures in Virginia.

The Legacy Museum of African American History
Where: Lynchburg
Visit this museum in Lynchburg to immerse yourself in historical exhibits on local African American history, and take advantage of workshops, lectures and programs offered by the museum.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

African American Civil War Memorial and Museum
Where: 1925 Vermont Ave. NW
This museum and memorial highlights the heroism of African-American soldiers during the Civil War through artifacts, photographs, presentations and seminars.

Anacostia Community Museum
Where: 1901 Fort Place SE
The Anacostia Community Museum houses an extensive collection on urban communities, with a focus on African-American history.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Where: 1411 W St. SE
Tour the home where Frederick Douglass lived from 1877 until his death in 1895.