Together, Simone Rathle and David Guas boast a combined 55 years of hospitality experience between them: she’s an accomplished restaurant publicist and he’s the chef, cookbook author and TV personality behind Arlington’s beloved Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery. Opening a full-service restaurant near their McLean home was a long-held dream for the husband and wife that finally came true in 2024.

Hello December! It's time to dive into the most wonderful time of the year. Trees and lights are going up, shops and markets are dialing up the holiday cheer and restaurants are gearing up for celebratory feasts. And speaking of feasts, if you haven't started planning your own, now is the time.

Cutting back on alcohol doesn’t have to mean staying home. More area restaurants and bars are adding nonalcoholic and low-proof options to their menus.

“The potato bun is the winner. Brioche, as fancy as it sounds, does not structurally hold up at all. It’s made of nothing but eggs and...