Heat Wave Continues — It was hot over the weekend and high temperatures are expected to get into the 90s again for the next couple days. Fairfax County wants residents to be aware of the dangers of extreme heat. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Volunteers Still Needed for ‘Taste’ — Organizers of the Taste of Reston, scheduled for this weekend at Reston Town Center, say they are still in need of some volunteers for Friday and Saturday night shifts. [Taste of Reston]

Utility Work Starts Tomorrow Night — Crews will be doing utility relocation work at the main entrance to the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride, located at the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Roark Street. The work is expected to be take about three weeks. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]

Park Authority Unveils Web Feature — Fairfax County parks including nearby Frying Pan Farm Park and Riverbend Park are part of a new interactive webpage that includes photos, videos and more. [Fairfax County Park Authority]

The annual Taste of Reston festival is coming up June 16-17, and organizers are still looking for more volunteers to help make it happen.

There are “a few” volunteer spots remaining each evening for the event, according to the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers receive an event T-shirt and 12 tickets to use on the food and drink available during the festival.

The Taste of Reston has been voted Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival by Virginia Living magazine six straight years. It features two days of restaurants and community food vendors, along with live entertainment on three stages. There are also kids’ activities and a “wine ‘n’ dine” area. Food and drink tickets are available for advance purchase.

The festival is scheduled for 3-11 p.m. Friday, June 16, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Parking will be free for the duration of the event.

To learn more about volunteering at the Taste of Reston, visit its website.

File photo courtesy Reston Town Center

Reston businesses, services and events were the recipients of nearly two dozen honors in Virginia Living magazine’s 2017 Best of Virginia awards.

According to the Eden Stuart, the magazine’s assistant editor, the awards issue, which is on newsstands today, is a “statewide guide to all that is ‘best’ in Virginia — from dining to shopping to doing.” More than 50,000 ballots were cast in a reader survey to find the honorees in 106 categories, Stuart said.

Lake Anne Plaza was particularly honored, with five businesses selected as being among the best of the best in the Northern Virginia region. Those winners include Lake Anne Brew House (first place, Best Local Craft Brewery); Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar (first place, Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop); Reston’s Used Book Shop (second place, Best Book Store); Small Change Consignments (first place, Best Children’s Clothing Store; second place, Best Consignment Shop); and Chesapeake Chocolates, Wine, Gifts and More (third place, Best Chocolatier).

“Please join us in saying congrats to these awesome Plaza merchants,” reads a post on Lake Anne Plaza’s Facebook page celebrating the honors.

In addition, the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Plaza was honored with a second-place award for Best Farmers Market.

The full list of honorees from Reston in the 2017 Best of Virginia awards are:

FIRST-PLACE HONOREES

Taste of Reston
Best Food Festival

Edibles Incredible Desserts (11917 Freedom Drive)
Best Bakery
Best Chocolatier
Best Dessert Menu

Bacon N’ Ed’s
Best Food Truck

Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza W.)
Best Local Craft Brewery

Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar (1612 Washington Plaza N.)
Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop

Life Time Fitness (1757 Business Center Drive)
Best Gym

CST Group (10740 Parkridge Blvd.)
Best Accounting Firm

Small Change Consignments (1629 Washington Plaza N.)
Best Children’s Clothing Store

Austin-Weston, The Center for Plastic Surgery (1825 Samuel Morse Drive)
Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice

The Eyewear Gallery at Reston Town Center (11900 Market St.)
Best Eye Care Provider

Miye Wire LLC (1818 Library St.)
Best Financial Planning Firm

AKG Design Studio
Best Kitchen Design Firm

Davelle Clothiers (11921 Freedom Drive)
Best Men’s Clothing Store

Virginia Therapy & Fitness Center (1831 Wiehle Ave.)
Best Physical Therapy Group

SECOND-PLACE HONOREES

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
Best Art Event

Cornerstones
Best Charity

Reston Farmers Market
Best Farmers Market

Small Change Consignments (1629 Washington Plaza N.)
Best Consignment Shop

Reston’s Used Book Shop (1623 Washington Plaza N.)
Best Book Store

THIRD-PLACE HONOREES

Chesapeake Chocolates, Wine, Gifts and More (11426 Washington Plaza W.)
Best Chocolatier

Trader Joe’s (11958 Killingsworth Ave.)
Best Grocery Store

The Wine Cabinet (1416 North Point Village Center)
Best Wine Shop

Image courtesy Virginia Living magazine

The Taste of Reston — the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration of all things food and drink — returns to Reston Town Center Friday and Saturday.

Market Street will become a smorgasbord of food options and the Reston Town Center Pavilion area will become a lively beer garden at the two-day event.

Here’s a preview of what’s on the menu:

• American Tap Room
  BBQ Pork Sliders
• Big Bowl
  Chicken Pot Stickers
• Buffalo Wing Factory
  Wings
• Delsur Baked Goods
  Saltado
• GreenFare Cafe
  African Vegetables & Thai Quinoa & Cauliflower Mash
• Gregorio’s Trattoria
  Meatball sliders
• M&S Grill
  Crab Taster Totters
• McCormick and Schmick’s
  Crab Cake Sandwich
• Mon Ami Gabi/ Community Canteen
  Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad/ Dog Bones
• Nomini Bay Oyster Ranch
  Charbroiled and raw oysters
• Not Your Average Joes
  Grilled Pork Tenderloin
• Neyla Mediterranean Bistro
  Chips & Mohammara dip
• Obi Sushi
  Shrimp Teriyaki Roll
• Paradise Catering
  Funnel Cake
• Paradise Catering
  Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp Kabobs
• Pitango Gelato
  Gelato
• Robeks Fruit Smoothies
  Strawberry smoothies
• Tavern 64 Regional Kitchen
  Bahn Mi BBQ Pulled Pork
• The Melting Pot
  Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro
  Smoked Berkshire Pork Belly
• Udon Food
  Fried Rice Vegetables

Of course, beer, wine and live entertainment are also a big part of the festival, which runs from 3 to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Alcohol will be sold in the pavilion and on trucks on Library Street, as well as in the Taste of Reston lounge. Bud Light; Devil’s Backbone; Shock Top Belgian Wheat; Stella Artois; as well as four craft brews. A selection of wines from The Wine Cabinet will also be available.

Live entertainment will take place on four stages, including a family fun zone for the kinds. Check out the schedule.

Note: There are no carnival rides as in past years due to construction at the surface lot, ordinarily the site of the rides and games.

Admission is free, but tickets are needs for food and drinks. You can buy tickets on site or online in advance. Parking is also free in RTC’s seven garages.

The Taste of Reston — the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration of all things food and drink — returns to Reston Town Center next Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18.

Market Street will become a smorgasbord of food options and the Reston Town Center will become a lively beer garden at the two-day event.

Here is what you need to know:

Taste of Reston hours are 3 to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Parking is free in Reston Town Center’s seven garages.

Admission is free, but tickets are needs for food and drinks. You can buy tickets on site or online in advance.

There will be a wide variety of dishes from your favorite restaurants, including Not Your Average Joe’s, Obi Sushi, Community Canteen, McCormick & Schmick’s and many more. See the list of food vendors on the event website.

There will be no shortage of beer and wine. Alcohol will be sold in the pavilion and on trucks on Library Street, as well as in the Taste of Reston lounge. Bud Light; Devil’s Backbone; Shock Top Belgian Wheat; Stella Artois; as well as four local craft brews. A selection of wines from The Wine Cabinet will also be available.

Live entertainment will take place on four stages, including a family fun zone for the kinds. Check out the schedule.

Volunteers are still needed. Check in to see if you and/or a team from your company can help.

Note: There are no carnival rides as in past years due to construction at the surface lot, ordinarily the site of the rides and games.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Reston returns to Reston Town Center Friday and Saturday.

The 25th annual event will feature food from Reston-area restaurants, as well as beer and wine; live entertainment, a Family Fun Zone ; a Wine & Dine area with cooking demonstrations; and carnival rides.

Festival hours: Friday, 3 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday (Carnival rides only), 10 a.m. to  8 p.m.

Admission is free, but you need tickets for food, beer and rides.

Here is what’s on the menu:

• American Tap Room – BBQ Pork sliders with pickle
• Big Bowl – Pot stickers, vegetable summer roll, spicy peanut noodles, combination plates
• Buffalo Wing Factory – Buffalo wings and buffalo bites
• Clyde’s Bruschetta – Chicken, Gazpacho, Berry shortcake
• Flippin’ Pizza – Cheese and pepperoni pizza
• Gregorio’s Trattoria – Meatball slider
• M&S Grill – Chicken + waffles, lettuce wraps and crab tots
• McCormick and Schmick’s – Crab cake sandwiches, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and French fries
• Melting Pot – Chocolate-covered Strawberries
• Mon Ami Gabi – Bahn Mi sliders, homemade dog bones
• Mum Mum Nova – Custard balls, stir fried noodles, butcher prime pork with satay sauce, and chicken skewers
• Naked Pizza – Cheese and meat pizza
• Neyla Mediterranean Bistro – Neyla signature hummus & pita
• Nitro’s Creamery – Ice cream
• Obi Sushi – Sushi rolls, fried sweet potatoes, and vegetarian pot stickers
• Paradise Catering – Shrimp kabob, Fried Oreo’s, Funnel cake
• Pitango Gelato – Gelato coolers
• Robek’s Fruit Smoothies – Fresh fruit smoothies
• Tavern 64 – Virginia Cheesesteak
• Ted’s Bulletin – All-American burger and Root Beer floats
• Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro – Crab dog

Photo: Taste of Reston/Courtesy Reston Town Center

Reston Town Center will turn into a food festival highlighting Reston’s restaurants as the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Reston returns June 19 and 20.

The Taste of Reston, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is the largest outdoor food festival in the area and was voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival”the last four years by readers of Virginia Living Magazine.

Here is what you need to know about the 25th annual Taste of Reston:

Festival hours are Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 20, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. There will be carnival rides only on Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is free, but you will need tickets to buy food and drinks and ride rides. You can purchase advance tickets online or in person at the festival.

Some of the participating restaurants: Clyde’s, American Tap Room, Pitango Gelato, Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, Obi Sushi and many more. Visit the Taste of Reston website to see the full list.

Beer and wine will be served Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 20, noon to 10:30 p.m. in the main pavilion and at trucks on Library Street and Explorer Street. Over 21 only, and valid ID required. A mix of national brands and craft brews will be available, including beer from Flying Dog, DC Brau and Old Busthead Brewing Co.

There will be live entertainment on three stages, as well as a Family Fun Zone. See the full lineup and schedule.

Reston Now will have a booth at the festival. Stop by to visit us, ask a question, give some feedback and pick up some Reston Now gift items.

If you are heading to the Taste of Reston this weekend, stop by Reston Now’s booth.

Reston Now editor Karen Goff and other staffers from parent company Local News Now will have a booth on Market Street near the Mercury Fountain at Reston Town Center.

We will have fun Reston trivia games and prizes to give away. Come by to play or to just say hi and tell us what you would like to see on the site.

While you are there, sign up to get our daily email blast and get the day’s headlines delivered to your inbox weekdays at 4 p.m.

See you at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Reston!

Read all you need to know about the Taste of Reston in this previous story on Reston Now.

Online tickets are now available for the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Reston, which returns to Reston Town Center Friday and Saturday.

Festival hours are Friday from 3 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. The carnival rides will also be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free, but patrons will need tickets to purchase food and beverages and ride the rides. Discount advance purchase food/drink tickets are $24 for $20. Advance purchase ride tickets are $24 for $20. You can also purchase an all-you-can ride wristband for $20. Visit the ticket section of the Taste of Reston website to buy.

Tickets will also be available for purchase at the Taste of Reston.

Taste of Reston is the largest outdoor food festival in the area and was voted 2012, 2013, and 2014 “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia Living magazine.

More than 20 restaurants will offer tastes of their menus in the booths along Market Street. Among the booths: Clyde’s, Big Bowl, The Counter, Il Fornaio, M & S Grill and more. Visit Taste of Reston online for a complete list. Hooked Seafood & Sushi, whose crab cake sliders won first place in the 2013 Taste, will also be returning to the festival.

The Taste of Reston will also offer wine and beer for patrons 21 and over. Among the brews on tap: Fat Tire, Blue Moon and Sierra Nevada.

Other highlights of the Taste of Reston: 

• A Wine n’ Dine section, where some of the area’s top chefs will demonstrate their favorite food and wine recipes.  Wine n’ Dine participants include Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, Paradise Springs Winery, Paolo’s Ristorante and The Melting Pot. On Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., the Wine ‘n Dine section will feature a Market Place, where vendors will sell cooking-related products.
• Live entertainment on four stages, including the Main Stage in the Pavilion and a a family fun stage at Market and Presidents Streets. See the full entertainment schedule on the Taste of Reston website.
• A Family Fun Zone! sponsored by the YMCA Fairfax County Reston and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. The Family Fun Zone! will feature fun activities, interactive games, demonstrations, arts and crafts for all ages. On Saturday from noon to 6:30 p.m. there will be food, fit and fun demonstrations.

Photo: Taste of Reston/Credit: Reston Town Center

This is a sponsored post from the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Reston Town Center will be the place for food, fun and live entertainment when the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Reston returns June 13-14.

Taste of Reston is the largest outdoor food festival in the area and was voted 2012, 2013, and 2014 “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia Living magazine.

The Taste of Reston will run Friday, June 13 from 3 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 14 from noon to 11 p.m. The carnival rides will also be open Sunday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than 20 restaurants will offer tastes of their delicious menus in the booths along Market Street. Among the booths: Clyde’s, Big Bowl, The Counter, Il Fornaio, M & S Grill and more. Visit Taste of Reston online for a complete list. Hooked Seafood & Sushi, whose crab cake sliders won first place in the 2013 Taste, will also be returning to the festival.

The Taste of Reston will also offer wine and beer for patrons 21 and over. Among the brews on tap: Fat Tire, Blue Moon and Sierra Nevada.

Admission to the Taste of Reston is free, but food and beverages are purchased with tickets. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

This year’s festival will also include a Wine n’ Dine section, where some of the area’s top chefs will demonstrate their favorite food and wine recipes.  Wine n’ Dine participants include Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, Paradise Springs Winery, Paolo’s Ristorante and The Melting Pot.

On Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., the Wine ‘n Dine section will feature a Market Place, where vendors will sell cooking-related products.

Other highlights of the Taste of Reston:

Live entertainment on four stages, including the Main Stage in the Pavilion and a a family fun stage at Market and Presidents Streets. See the full entertainment schedule on the Taste of Reston website.

A Family Fun Zone! sponsored by the YMCA Fairfax County Reston and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. The Family Fun Zone! will feature fun activities, interactive games, demonstrations, arts and crafts for all ages. On Saturday from noon to 6:30 p.m. there will be food, fit and fun demonstrations.

Carnival rides for all ages. Tickets must be purchased for rides (most are 3-5 tickets). Advance purchase all-you-can ride wristbands are now on sale for $20 on the Taste of Reston website or at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce offices, 1763 Fountain Dr. Wristbands will be $25 at the gate.

Online tickets can also be purchased ($24 for $20).

There will also be a bonus carnival day on Sunday, June 15 (Father’s Day), with all-you-can-ride from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.