When you ask a lot of out of towners about food choices in Tysons their immediate thoughts typically go to a mall food court and the Cheesecake Factory. That has been the established stereotype of Tysons for a long time, but that image has undergone major changes over the past several years.
With new restaurants like Finnegans, BJs Brewhouse, Chef Geoffs, Paladar, Founding Farmers, Panache, America Eats, Smash Burger, Harth, and a long list of other new destinations in town, the idea that Tysons is home to only major chains is a bit dated. This doesn’t even include the restaurants just outside of Tysons, such as Maple Ave Grill, Bazins, J Gilberts, and many more.
So Tysons is looking to change the perception and introduce the community to the reality of the many great chefs that call it home with the first annual Great Tastes of Tysons, a weekend long wine and food festival taking place Saturday May 31st and Sunday June 1st. The event includes a tasting glass to sample some local and distant wines, demonstrations by famous chefs including Spike Mendelsohn, food offerings gallore, live music, and what planners hope is a new sense of community.
The event, being held in between the new Tysons Metro Station and Tysons Galleria, is more than its components; it is emblematic of the goals to make Tysons a better place for residents and visitors from all around. Transforming an otherwise unused asphalt site and turning it into a public space for food and gathering. For that reason it’s important that the community take a look, and help support these events, so that we get more of them.
The Silver Line won’t be up and running, but there will be first come first served parking for 200 at the festival, as well as additional parking available at 8180 Greensboro Drive, across International Drive from the festival.
On Sunday morning there will also be a Farmer’s Market held at the NADA lot at Greensboro and Westpark, and on Sunday June 1st, at 2PM, a community walk is planned between the Farmer’s Market and the Festival to help promote more walkability improvements and community. So at a minimum, if you are a supporter of changing the status quo, head to the market and join us and officials in bringing more attention to pedestrian and cycling needs in Tysons.
Tickets are for sale now, for varying tiers, depending on whether you want all inclusive or individual a la carte. So mark your calendar, make sure you drop by, and if you haven’t gotten a ticket yet, right now is the best time.