Reston and Herndon’s food with stories
If you have been craving a real beignet without heading to New Orleans, Herndon now has an answer. Beignets and Brew has opened on Elden Street with fresh beignets, big iced coffees, and a menu that goes well beyond dessert. The classic beignet is the obvious place to start, but the chicken croissant with honey butter and the beignet-style chicken and waffles are worth a look too.
For this week’s events, I would put the Compassion and Action Music Festival near the top of the list if you want something social and community-focused. If you would rather spend some time outside, the sunset paddle on Lake Audubon is a strong Friday evening option, while Stream Slosh at Walker Nature Center looks especially good for families with kids who do not mind getting wet.
Elsewhere in the newsletter, Gogo’s Lemonade Stand is wrapping up another summer run in Reston, and the local news roundup has updates on Restaurant Week, a new headquarters move at Reston Town Center, a notable restaurant award, and a redevelopment proposal near Lake Fairfax.
Feature Story
FRESH BEIGNETS ARRIVE IN HERNDON
Beignets and Brew just opened on Elden Street in Herndon, bringing fresh beignets, oversized iced coffees, and a surprisingly full food menu to the neighborhood. The classics are hard to beat, but the chicken croissant with honey butter and beignet-style chicken and waffles make this spot worth more than just a dessert run.
Around Town
LAST CHANCE FOR LEGENDARY LEMONADE
Gogo’s Lemonade Stand has become a true Reston summer tradition, growing from one kid and a folding table into a neighborhood favorite with a purpose. Every cup supports Readers Are Leaders, a local nonprofit helping younger students build reading skills, and matching donations make each sale go even further. Open until 6pm today
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Ten Reston restaurants are joining Metropolitan Washington Summer Restaurant Week from August 24 through 30, with prix fixe menus at spots including Big Buns, Founding Farmers, Heirloom, Makers Union and PassionFish. Consider this advance notice to start negotiating where the group chat is actually going to eat.
Reston-based tech contractor TekSynap is moving its headquarters to Reston Town Center, taking an entire 26,500-square-foot floor at 11921 Freedom Drive. Apparently the return-to-office conversation gets a little easier when lunch, coffee and happy hour are downstairs.
Davio’s at Reston Station earned a 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for a wine list featuring at least 75 selections and designed to complement its Northern Italian menu. Reston Station now has another perfectly respectable reason for ordering the bottle instead of the glass.
Former Virginia Sen. Janet Howell, one of Reston’s most influential longtime public officials, died at age 82. Howell represented the area for more than three decades and became the first woman to lead the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, leaving a significant mark on both Reston and Richmond.
The proposed redevelopment of the Lake Fairfax Business Center is heading toward county review, with plans that would remake the aging office park near Lake Fairfax into a residential community. Yet another Reston office park may be learning that its next career could be housing.
Panda Express opened its first Herndon restaurant on Elden Street, marking the occasion with a ribbon cutting and a $1,000 donation to Cornerstones. Herndon residents can now add Orange Chicken to the increasingly competitive Elden Street dining decision tree.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
From outdoor adventures to neighborhood gatherings, this week’s Reston and Herndon events have a little something for everyone. You can catch a sunset paddle on Lake Audubon, bring the kids out for a morning of magic at Reston Town Center, get your feet wet at Stream Slosh, or spend Saturday afternoon enjoying live music at the Compassion and Action Music Festival in Herndon. The week also includes a practical sustainability session for local residents and wraps up with Herndon’s Community Picnic at Bready Park—an easygoing summer evening with neighbors, town leaders, and free food.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…a kid with a folding table can become a seven-year summer tradition.”
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