In December, the much-anticipated Stratford Garden opened on the site of the former Stratford Motor Lodge in the heart of Falls Church, with 16 taps dispensing German lagers, Belgian witbiers, Irish red ales, local IPAs and the requisite Guinness stout.
But this latest venture by brothers Arash and Afsheen Tafakor, their mom, Afsaneh Moradian, and partner David Birks (the team behind Brickhouse Butcher and Dominion Wine & Beer), isn’t just a taproom. It’s a come-as-you-are restaurant where raw bar selections, charcuterie boards and Iberian snacks of tinned fish roll out alongside burgers, truffle fries and chicken tenders for kids. Chef/GM Cameron Cousin’s eclectic menu also includes seasonal salads, grilled seafood and locally sourced steaks from Burner’s Beef in Luray.
Add to that a proper wine selection (did we mention they own a wine shop?) and some mighty fine cocktails and it’s a party. Consider the Smokey Dove, made with mezcal, rosemary syrup and grapefruit juice, or perk up with an espresso old fashioned starring coffee-infused bourbon.
For the daytime crowd, an on-site café serves coffee, pastries and grab-and-go fare starting at 7 a.m.
Designed by Falls Church architect Matt Lee of Lee Design Studio with interiors by Francois Frossard Design of Miami, the building pays homage to its predecessor with a few preserved elements—steel beams, stained wood, retro metal balcony—plus modern additions such as sound-absorbing roof decking for optimal acoustics. A large outdoor patio will open this spring with space for people and well-behaved dogs.
It’s not a theme-y place. “We are a neighborhood spot, and the clientele here is diverse,” says Arash Tafakor. So is the food. “We’ve got families, retirees, young people, people who want to watch a game and have a couple pints. We’re a small business, so we can pivot and be flexible. We don’t want to be pigeon-holed into serving one kind of cuisine. Menu items will change. Tell us what you like.”