It's PSL season!
As temperatures drop, check out our list of the neighborhood's best fast-casual food and drink for fall
Ah, yes, there's a nip in the air! After what felt like an endless summer, it's time to light the fireplace, unfurl your warm sweaters, and cook up a batch of your best chili recipe. PSL season has definitely arrived!
Everybody knows about Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte, of course: that ubiquitous and indulgent warm drink that's become for many a symbol of fall. It's easy to get one in Rosslyn at one of our four Starbucks locations. But you may not know that there are many other neighborhood coffee shops and cafés that serve their own twist on this warming fall beverage. In fact, many of these smaller shops have other interesting drinks that are uniquely their own. As for food, Rosslyn is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to satisfying fall comfort food that we all crave. Read on for some of the neighborhood's best seasonal options:
AllSpice Cafe and Catering: 1401 Wilson Blvd. Family owned and operated AllSpice Cafe and Catering offers freshly made soups each day that will warm you up on the coldest of days. Some of their tastiest options include tomato basil soup, butternut squash cream and three-bean chili.
The Brown Bag: 1735 N. Lynn St. Fast-casual neighborhood favorite The Brown Bag already offers an extensive selection of comforting fall foods and beverages. Try their seasonal sweet potato noodles, which are vegan and gluten-free. Other tasty fall choices are their Oktoberfest sandwich (applewood smoked bacon, brie, apple slices, spinach and garlic aioli) and their fall harvest salad (mixed greens, roasted chicken, red grapes, Craisins, crisp apples, bleu cheese crumbles and walnuts tossed in honey lime vinaigrette). They also have a pumpkin spiced coffee for fall.
Central Coffee: 1901 N. Moore St. Rosslyn's newest coffee shop, Central Coffee offers delicious baked goods and gourmet coffee from Ceremony Coffee Roasters. Their tasty fall offerings include pumpkin muffins ($3) and a tuxedo mocha (espresso with white chocolate sauce, dark chocolate sauce and whipped cream). Other hearty baked goods worth sampling include a savory ham and cheddar scone ($3.45) and a cranberry orange scone ($3.45).
Coffee Express: 1300 Wilson Blvd. Tucked away in a small storefront on the corner of Wilson Blvd. and N. Ft. Myer Drive, Coffee Express has a surprisingly extensive coffee and drinks menu with lots of great fall choices, including a pumpkin spice latte, peppermint mocha and gingerbread latte. Prices range from $3.95-$4.95. Our favorite? A black forest mocha: It's espresso with steamed milk and chocolate and cherry syrups. We're also intrigued by their creamsicle drink, which is orange juice, vanilla syrup, and 1/2 and 1/2 poured over ice. It's not a fall flavor, but it sure sounds good. Coffee Express has a few outdoor tables so you can enjoy your drink and people-watch!
Cosi: 1801 N. Lynn St. Cosi offers a rich and satisfy butternut squash bisque and a fire roasted vegetable soup on their fall seasonal menu. They're especially good when paired with one of their hearty sandwiches, such as the bacon turkey cheddar sandwich.
J's Cookies: 1700 N. Moore St. Located on the ground floor of the Rosslyn Metro Mall, J's Cookies has lots of sweet treats and a variety of freshly brewed coffees. One interesting choice is their Vienna coffee, which is espresso and a scoop of vanilla ice cream ($4.09).
McDonald's: 1800 N. Lynn St. You can try a pumpkin spice latte at the Rosslyn McDonald's at Central Place. Other soothing warm beverage choices include a mocha, latte, caramel mocha and hot chocolate.
The Little Beet: 1800 N. Lynn St. This new neighborhood arrival has many members of our office hooked on their healthy, vegetable-based bowls and salads that feature seasonal ingredients. You can order one of their chef-made bowls or create your own. Some satisfying seasonal choices to add to your bowl include shaved brussels sprouts, roasted kale, sweet potato and acorn squash. Add a protein and a base and you're all set. Seriously good!
Mochaberry Coffee Company: 1700 N. Moore St. Located on the second level of the Rosslyn Metro Mall, this small kiosk offers a pumpkin pie latte that's brewed with Seattle's Best coffee. Their other fun seasonal offering is a white peppermint mocha, which is available until Christmas. A 16 oz. hot drink goes for $4.25.
Panera: 1700 N. Moore St. Located on the first floor of the Rosslyn Metro Mall, Panera offers a lot of wonderful comfort food choices. You can get their take on pumpkin spice latte with salted caramel syrup. A 20 oz. cup is $3.99. Their seasonal menu items include turkey chili (great in a bread bowl!), an ancient grain and arugula salad with chicken, and a roasted turkey flatbread. Finish your meal with one of their cheerfully decorated pumpkin cookies ($2.59 for 1 or $9.99 for 1/2 dozen).
Rosslyn Coffee & Deli: 1101 Wilson Blvd. This small deli and market located in the heart of Downtown Rosslyn has been family owned and operated since 1999. Rosslyn Coffee & Deli has a large selection of seasonal hot beverages to warm you up for fall, including pumpkin spice latte, vanilla cinnamon latte, gingerbread latte and peppermint patty. Prices range from $3.40-$4.40. Starting in November, they'll be offering homemade chicken noodle soup, the ultimate fall comfort food. In their market, they also offer seasonal beer and wine, including Imperial Pumpkin Porter, Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale and Jacques All Lantern Belgian Pumpkin Ale.
sweetgreen: 1800 N. Lynn St. If you're trying to eat healthy, Central Place Plaza has lots of choices, like sweetgreen, the local franchise that serves delicious salads and bowls. Their menu revolves around locally sourced ingredients and features seasonal specialties that showcase local produce. For fall, sweetgreen has several good options. Our favorite? The apple pear cheddar salad (shredded kale, organic mesclun, pears, apples, raw pecans, organic white cheddar, basil, balsamic vinaigrette). We also love their special fall drink, a cranberry ginger fresca. It's light and refreshing, and made with fresh cranberries and ginger. Pairs perfectly with the salad!
Did we miss your favorite spot to grab some fall comfort food? If so, email us at rosslynbid@rosslynva.org and let us know! We'll add your recommendations to the list!