Ramen and Rice Bowl now has a “coming soon” sign up at its Herndon Centre spot.

No word yet, though, on an opening date for the fusion ramen restaurant at 482 Elden Street. The spot used to belong to Tipicos Gloria, a Central American eatery, before it relocated about 150 feet away to 470 Elden Street last year.

The restaurant currently has a liquor license pending for wine and beer.

Wooboi Chicken is set to hold a soft opening tomorrow ahead of its grand opening next week.

The grand opening at 139 Spring Street, Suite 1 — the former spot of Metro Cafe — is set for Feb. 5, Wooboi Chicken told Reston Now.

The chicken eatery posted on its Facebook page today that it plans to have a soft opening with a limited menu tomorrow (Jan. 30) from noon to 4 p.m. Government workers and law enforcement officers can receive 10 percent off of their entire order.

Wooboi Chicken had pop-up locations in Maryland and Virginia last summer.

The “Nashville hot chicken” is free-range, does not contain antibiotics and is fried in peanut oil, according to its website. For customers with peanut allergies, Wooboi Chicken has a separate fryer that uses canola oil instead.

Depending on how hot customers like their chicken, Chef Minwoo will offer six different levels of heat, along with five options for sides.

Image via Google Maps

Who’s hungry for more dining options?

As Winter Restaurant Week winds down this weekend, foodies in Reston and Herndon may have noticed some changes to their dining options in an area. Over the last few years, the food scene has seen newcomers pop up and long-established restaurants close.

(For comparison, Winter Restaurant Week in 2016 featured eight Reston-area participants. That’s double the number of participants for this year and 2018.)

Last year alone, several restaurants and two dessert shops shut their doors in Reston Town Center at almost the same rate as new options — Honeygrow, Balducci’s, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls and &pizza — popped up.

It’s a new year with new food. Openings already nearing for some of the seven restaurants coming to Reston and Herndon in the first three months of 2019.

Foodies, let us know your thoughts about which dining option the food scenes in Reston and Herndon really need.

Ice House Cafe will raise a glass to toast to more than 40 years in Herndon before its Jan. 1 closing.

Two celebrations are set this weekend for the cafe and bar (760 Elden Street).

Locals can make reservations for the Sunday Dinner, which will include live jazz by E & Me Contemporary Jazz, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 30.

The next day marks the restaurant’s grand finale on New Year’s Eve. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. and will last until 12:30 a.m. The Mary Shaver and the Smokin’ Polecats are set to perform.

Resverations for both events will be by phone only.

Photo via Ice House Cafe/Facebook

(Updated at 3:46 p.m.) Foodies who are hungry for more options can start craving these upcoming restaurant openings.

Italian, Thai and Afghan cuisine and more are heading to Reston and Herndon early next year.

Reston

Finn Thai Restaurant and Bar, a Thai restaurant, aims to open at 1466 North Point Village Center “around the beginning of 2019,” according to its website.

Bombay Velvet, a fine-dining, Indian restaurant, will open later in January at 12120 Sunset Hills Road, the restaurant confirmed on Facebook. Reston Now previously reported that the owner said the restaurant was planning to open sometime near Christmas.

Famous Toastery, a breakfast and brunch restaurant, will open next in February or March at JBG Smith’s RTC West development at 12120 Sunset Hills Road, Reston Now previously reported.

Fox Restaurant Concepts plans to open its North Italia concept at 11898 Freedom Drive in Reston Town Center by early 2019, Reston Now previously reported.

Herndon 

Ramen and Rice will open at 482 Elden Street in Herndon Centre sometime in January or February, Owner Sirinda Liw previously told Reston Now.

Kabobi by the Helmand, a restaurant serving Afghan cuisine, plans to open in February at 2321 Dulles Station Blvd, Suite A near the Innovation Center Metro station, Owner Khaleeq Ahmad told Reston Now.

Wooboi Chicken is coming to 139 Spring Street, Suite 1 in January, according to its Facebook page.

Photos via Helmand Kabobi/Facebook, North Italia, Finn Thai and Wooboi Chicken

This story has been updated

Kabobi by the Helmand, a restaurant serving Afghan cuisine, plans to open early next year in Herndon.

Owner Khaleeq Ahmad told Reston Now that he is aiming for an opening in February. Right now the restaurant is in the construction phase and waiting for the build out, he said.

Located at 2321 Dulles Station Blvd, Suite A, the restaurant will be near the Silver Line Innovation Center Metro station, which is scheduled to open in 2020.

Ahmad said that Kabobi by the Helmand will offer Zeke’s Coffee in the morning for commuters and locals and then serve lunch and dinner offering unique and affordable Afghan cuisine.

Ahmad said he has spent the last 16 years going back and forth to Afghanistan, with the goal of adding traditions currently lacking in Afghan cuisine in the United States.

While he doesn’t want to give away surprises on the menu, Ahmad said customers can expect kabobs, stews and “a lot of really good vegetarian options.” For libations, he plans to serve craft beer from Baltimore and wine.

The menu in Herndon will resemble the one from the restaurant’s partner, Kabobi from The Helmand, in Baltimore. The chain of Kabobi restaurants started in 1982 in San Francisco and expanded to Boston, Baltimore and Chicago, with the Chicago location now closed after 30 years, he said.

Diners can help support the Herndon High School Marching Band every Tuesday this month at Not Your Average Joe’s in Reston and every Sunday at Stone’s Cove KitBar in Herndon.

The marching band, called the Pride of Herndon, is fundraising for its trip to Normandy, France in June, where the band will represent the U.S. at the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

The band has several fundraising efforts underway to help cover the costs for the trip.

Not Your Average Joe’s at 1845 Fountain Drive will donate 15 percent of sales from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays in December to the band. Customers need to mention or show the flyer for seated and take-out orders.

Diners at Stone’s Cove KitBar (2403 Centreville Road) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays will be given a card where they can select the band from a list of charities. Then, 10 percent of that guest’s check will get donated.

The Pride will honor WWII servicemen and women, veterans and active duty military and their families.

“As they march, the Pride will also be paying a special tribute to the brave men of the USS Herndon, the destroyer that led the Allied naval armada in the assault on France and the named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, after whom the Town of Herndon, Va. is also named,” the flyer says.

Photo via Herndon High School Band/Twitter

Updated 10:45 a.m. – Ramen and Rice will be opening in Herndon (482 Elden St) early next year.

Sirinda Liw, owner of Ramen and Rice, said despite the company name being Oki Bowl of Herndon the restaurant shares no connection to the chain located in Washington, D.C.

“It’s going to be fusion ramen,” said Liw, “much tastier than regular ramen.”

Ramen and Rice will be located in Herndon Centre between The Deli and the Nail Villa. Additionally, the ABC permit in the window indicates the location will be serving wine and beer.

Liw said the construction process is still in discussion with a planned opening in January or beginning February. The interior is still vacant and decorated as Tipicos Gloria, a closed Central American eatery.

Cafe Rio, a Mexican grill, will take up space in the former location of McDonald’s in Herndon. The fast food restaurant closed earlier this year.

According to Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel, the restaurant will occupy space near the Virginia Kitchen at 330 Elden Street.

The opening date of the new restaurant is not yet known, Merkel said.

The restaurant offers burritos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos and other Mexican staples. Cafe Rio has multiple locations in Virginia, including Falls Church, Burke and Fairfax.

Photo via Yelp/Cindy K.