The cat can finally be let out of the bag — The Burn can officially report that the new restaurant coming to the corner of Ashburn Village Boulevard and Farmwell Road will be known as Rai’s Rendezvous.
That’s the “R|R” that the owners have been teasing in a series of cryptic social media posts in recent months.
Rai’s Rendezvous is the newest addition to the WTF Restaurant Group — WTF standing for “Where’s the Food,” of course.
WTF is Basil and Jenna Kuhn — the same folks who own and operate Rai’s Pour House in Sterling, as well as Rai’s Pizza in Sterling and in Ashburn. They also have Sully’s Pour House in Herndon.
In case you’re wondering who Rai is — she’s the Kuhn’s daughter.
But at the time, the details of the new restaurant weren’t revealed. We called it a “mystery restaurant.” Now we have learned more about it.
The Kuhns tell us that Rai’s Rendezvous will be a little different than their other locations.
They have brought in John Iatrellis as a partner and executive chef. Iatrellis has been involved in a variety of restaurant launches in Miami and elsewhere around the country.
The menu Iatrellis has created includes a focus on small tapas-style plates plus larger dishes meant for sharing in what he refers to as “a communal dining experience.”
He also adds that the menu will change seasonally.
While the new menu is still being finalized, we got a sneak peek and saw items such as Pinchy’s Deviled Eggs, Mediterranean Bliss Hummus, Guava-Glazed Chicken Spears, Eggplant Toast, Mushroom Risotto, Sesame Crusted Tuna, and a Short Rib Pappardelle.
Making the cut at Rai’s Rendezvous are the popular bar pizzas from Rai’s Pour House. These are smaller pizzas that are made for munching on around a bar.
Styles include a Fig & Proscuitto Pizza and a Lobster & Truffle Pizza.
Rest assured, they are different in style from the larger, more traditional pizzas served at the Kuhn’s sister restaurant, Rai’s Pizza.
Jenna Kuhn says they are going for an establishment that is both unique and inviting. “We are an oxymoron in the best way – where sophistication meets spontaneity, where comfort meets excitement,” she told The Burn.
Other tidbits that the Kuhns shared include their plans to schedule lots of music and entertainment at the new Rai’s Rendezvous.
They are planning to open Rai’s Rendezvous this fall, but haven’t settled on an official date yet, pending final permits.