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Tori McKinney & ROCK STAR Realty Group, Named Top Producer
Tori McKinney, CEO, and ROCK STAR Realty Group, KW Metro Center, have been named an Arlington Magazine 2021 Top Producer and Northern Virginia Association of Realtors 2020 Diamond Top Producer. For more information, visit www.ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com.
Profile by Sanford in Falls Plaza at 1140 W. Broad Street in Falls Church is closing its doors on March 15. The Sanford Health backed weight loss and wellness program opened in November of 2019. This is the second business to close in this shopping center this year. Kids First Swim School closed previously, months after the corporation filed Chapter 11 in the fall. For more information, visit www.profileplan.com. MARCH 11 – 17, 2021 | PAGE 15
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The Kensington Falls Church Discusses Benefits of Assisted Living
The Kensington Falls Church is offering Understanding the Benefits of Assisted Living: The Resources You No Repro Blue Didn’t Realize You Needed as a Caregiver on Thursday, March 11 from 6 – 7:15 p.m. Experts will lead a virtual discussion on the benefits of moving into an assisted living community and offer caregiver CLIENTS127605 1 resources. For more information, visit the Events tab at www.theKensingtonFallsChurch.com. 04:10 5/22/02 WV 85 DOLEV
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce is hosting Coping with Covid-19, a networking luncheon to take place via Zoom on Tuesday, March 16 at noon. Several mental health professionals will share valuable tips and tools to help attendees struggling with various issues and challenges caused by the pandemic. The event is free for Chamber members and $5 for nonmembers. Attendees are encouraged to pick up lunch from a local restaurant prior to the event. Visit the calendar at www.FallsChurchChamber.org for more information or to register.
Powerlink Community Advisory Board is offering a discounted rate for its Business Growth Group 2021 - Getting New Customers from your Website, Digital Marketing, and Online Strategies in Q2 on Tuesday, March 16 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. This interactive session is for small business owners retooling from Covid and building a stronger, more resilient business in 2021. Go to internationalpurpose.com/businesses.html for more information. This session is led by Anita Brattina, CEO of Powerlink and an extremely experienced business owner who has run numerous million-dollar businesses. There will also be qualified advisors to assist. Patricia DiVecchio, CEO of Falls Church-based International Purpose will co-lead.
Body Dynamics Inc. is hosting ACL Injury Prevention Webinar for Youth Athletes & Coaches on Friday, March 19 at noon. The Lunch & Learn session is for parents, coaches, and young athletes to learn how to prevent one of the most common and negative impactors of performance an athlete of any age can experience. For more information, visit www.BodyDynamicsInc.com.
Leslie Hutchison is forming a new Virtual BNI Chapter in Falls Church. BNI is the world’s leading business referral organization with more than 275,000 members in more than 10,000 Chapters worldwide. In 2020, BNI members shared more than 11.5 million new client referrals and generated more than $16 billion in revenue. Each Chapter includes one member per industry to build strong referral relationships. The new Falls Church Chapter will meet Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom permanently. Seats are open for the following businesses: P&C Insurance, Handyman, Commercial Realtor, General Contractor, Mover, Painter and more. For more information about the Falls Church or other local Chapters, email leslie@bninovasouth.com.
Business News & Notes is compiled by Sally Cole, Executive Director of Greater Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. She may be emailed at sally@fallschurchchamber.org.
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PAGE 16 |MARCH 11 – 17, 2021 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
DAVID JOHNSON (left picture) and his wife, Bobby, are New York City transplants who moved from the Big Apple to the Little City during the pandemic for a change of scenery. They’ve brought with them 22 years of restaurant experience, which guides creations like their BLAvocadoT and whole grain, organic pancakes. (Photos:
Patricia Leslie)
Johnsons Café’s Humble Eatery Blends Indian Flare with American Classics
by Patricia Leslie
Falls Church News-Press
A New York style deli has opened at the corner of Annandale Road and South Washington Street with an exterior appearance that gives no hints about the delectable foods inside.
Step into the warm and homey Johnsons Café and sense a Pennsylvania Dutch house with light streaming in big glass windows upon light blue painted walls, wooden tables and chairs, potted plants, bookshelves and music by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, the Eagles and more.
New blue and yellow picnic tables with umbrellas sit outside waiting for warmer weather and customers.
The restaurant bills itself online as Indian-American, but the Indian foods are almost hidden on the menu except for the “lassi,” a traditional Indian drink made with mango, rose, or strawberries and yogurt, and a few more items. Once Covid-19 bows its ugly head, the owners, David and Bobby Johnson, plan to expand offerings and extend hours.
Being a big breakfast eater, I could not resist the organic whole grain pancakes with a homemade berry compote and French toast, brioche, layered with jam and served with ricotta (each, $7). I ate both (!) without butter and syrup, neither necessary since these delicious treats melted right in my mouth. The pancakes were as light as angel food cake and overnight fruit soaked the three pieces of French toast (I could not eat everything in one sitting) turning it into a breakfast/dessert the next morning.
David said the deli’s bestsellers are probably the crispy fried chicken sandwich with a “secret” sauce, lettuce, onion and slaw on a potato bun ($7.50), and the lunch bowls with rice pilaf or quinoa, lentil stew, chopped salad, sweet potatoes, and raita with a choice of chickpea masala, Indian butter chicken, chicken curry with herbs and spices or the Tandoori spiced chicken (which my editor wanted me to try), all for $9.50.
I told Bobby that I had to try the Tandoori but she promised “spicy” could be adjusted for anyone, and my preferences were honored and the chicken came out just right. It was a quarter of a small bird with a leg and thigh, perfectly roasted and tender. The piquant salad more than satisfied my daily “crunchy” need. Mixed with small-chopped pieces of radishes, parsley, red cabbage, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers in what tasted like a light dill dressing, I can think of no ways to improve it.
The bowl’s lentil stew was scrumptious with a slight curry taste and the sweet potatoes were sweet, but not too sugary sweet. (As I luxuriated in this dish, I was certain that any nutritionist would give this meal an A+++!)
Johnsons sells several sandwiches and the BLAT ($6.50) with everything you long for but should not eat, including all BLT ingredients plus avocado, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and onion on a roll.
I also had a bagel (!) with three eggs and cheese and a bit of potato stuck inside ($4.50). For a bit more ($2-$3), bacon, pastrami and sausage may be added.
The Johnsons are New York City transplants where they spent 22 years in the restaurant business. After living a fairly humdrum life last year (“there are only so many movies you can watch,” Bobby said), the couple turned their sights and talents south to Falls Church where friends and family reside. “I feel comfortable here,” David added.
At the new restaurant the only problem is parking, which David forgot about, being from New York where “nobody parks!” and many people walk to eat. The Johnsons’ Falls Church neighbors have been generous (so far) permitting their customers to park nearby, and David hopes to work out a rental agreement with some of them.
The couple is eager “to give back to the community,” David said, and start a “community fridge” where they’ll put out fresh food and drinks every day at 3 p.m. These won’t be leftovers and extras, he insisted, because “they deserve to eat fresh, too.”
All food is made to order and fresh at Johnsons. Nothing is premade.
David continued: “I have actually seen a lot of poverty in my life and a lot of people without food to eat. My wife and I come from humble beginnings in India. America has done great for me. I love America and if there’s any way I can possibly give back, I want to do it.”
I am eager to get back to Johnsons, too, for a refill. It will be hard for me to choose between the pancakes, the French toast, and the lunch bowl, but maybe I’ll just get them all again and walk off those calories like New Yorkers do. After all, we only live once. Breakfast is served at Johnsons from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; lunch, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Dine in, dine out or order online.
Johnsons Café is located at 301 S. Washington Street, Falls Church. It’s phone number is 703534-3838. Visit thejohnsonscafe. com for more information.
• This article is the part of the “Restaurant Spotlight” series, which will feature one local restaurant and its menu each month. To suggest that your restaurant be covered, contact Matt Delaney, News Editor at mdelaney@fcnp.com
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
SPORTS
MASON JUNIOR Graham Felgar shakes off an arm tackle in the team’s 14-7 win over Skyline High
School on Feb. 28 (Photo: Courtesy Tracy Roou)
F.C. Sports Round-Up: Mustang Football Stays Above .500, Volleyball Still Perfect
MARCH 11 – 17, 2021 | PAGE 17
Faces of Falls Church
ROSE WARURI is a native of Kenya and has lived in the area for the last five years. When asked how she was dealing with the last year she replied, “we’re dealing.” As a Student Nurse, she feels a lot more confident to go out and start enjoying the weather due to the disbursement of the vaccine and drop-
ping infection rates. (Photo: J. Michael Whalen/JMichaelWhalen. com)
Field Hockey
On March 2, the Mustang Field Hockey team won their first game of the season vs. Fauquier 3-2, with Eleanor Gieser’s score with less than a minute on the clock. The girls traveled to Bealeton yesterday for a game against Liberty HS. They will play at home again on Tuesday against Kettle Run.
And the Justice High School Field Hockey is now 3-0 heading in the early part of their regular season, following up on their 6-0 season opening win over Annandale High School with a close, 4-3 victory against Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology on March 3 during the Wolves’ senior night. On Monday, the team extended its win streak to four games after escaping with a 1-0 road win over Hayfield High School. Junior Maria Papas is the leading scorer with five goals, followed by River Rupert and Samantha Schrecker with two goals each.
Volleyball
Out fast with a strong start, the Mustang Volleyball team is now 3-0 on the season.
On Thursday, the Mustangs took down Brentsville High School in three sets. On Monday the girls defeated William Monroe High School by a 3-1 margin in the largely empty new gym.
Football
On Saturday, the Mustangs went 2-1 on the season with a 41-0 home-field win over Warren County Wildcats. The Mustangs pulled away early with a 55 yard touchdown run by Matt Teague, who later added two more touchdowns. Robert Silva scored another touchdown with a run, and two long passes from Evans Rice to Graham Felgar accounted for the rest of the Mustangs’ scores. Martin Craft went 5-6 on extra points.
Defensively, the Mustangs held strong with an overpowering effort led by Matt Teague on tackles. George Papadopoulos blocked a field goal attempt by Warren and Emmet Wood had a career first interception. The team has a bye next week and then travels to Central-Woodstock on March 19.
Notice for Game Attendance
Restrictions on fan capacity at indoor and outdoor events impact the Virginia High School League’s adapted “fall season.” Family members of athletes can fill out VHSL’s Fall Spectator Form at docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBrFTVnhOG4SzQZkcOqqBfpZ62ODSGTZNZ4D7_AsgoWekrA/viewform to attend the games.
For all others, check the Home of the Mustangs on YouTube at youtube.com/channelUCUwrHodUwBds4NZ2a9nAKeQ.
Contributions in this article came courtesy of the Falls Church City Public School system and Stefanie Vestal, head coach of Justice High School’s field hockey team.
Join the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia for their free virtual event,
A Taste of Literacy presented by Anthem HealthKeepers Plus on Thursday, March 25, 2021
A Taste of Literacy is a whole-day, join-when-you-can, virtual celebration that will raise awareness and critical funds to open doors of opportunity to adult English language learners in Northern Virginia. This year's theme, "Look How Far I've Come", will feature stories from our learners whose hard work to learn English has helped them to overcome obstacles and reach their goals, even during a pandemic. Join our Special LIVE event at noon giving you a personal “TASTE” of what it is like to be in an LCNV class learning a new language. Interested? RSVP today at: https://lcnv.org/tol2021/
Sponsors:
Cell-Ed KIHOMAC Main Street Bank MarginEdge Play Squash Academy RiskSpan RY Accounting Sikich LLP – Marco Fernandes and Andy Powell Amanda G’s Vacations Chain Bridge Bank John and Eunice Thomas McLaughlin Ryder Investments RX-IT Wolcott Hill Group True Fitness Nutrition Massage Envy Falls Church
