R.J. Cooper Rocks the Suburbs with Gypsy Soul

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He made it to Mosaic. R.J. Cooper's long-in-the-works Gypsy Soul restaurant officially opens this evening in Merrifield.

The restaurant has seating for 135 people, with a Southern rock, motorcycle and farm-to-table theme. There's also an 80-seat roof terrace with a small kitchen and its own bar; that will open in April.

The menu is divided into such sections as leaves and liquids, finned fish, pantry and pig. Opening dishes boast such descriptions as "grouper/frogmore stew/rouille/portuguese bread/rouille" and "lobster free form lasagna/leeks/tomato curd/ghost peppers." Diners will recognize hints of Cooper's Rogue 24 style, though the restaurant aims to be more accessible than the Shaw restaurant (which itself is adding a la carte items soon).

Bryan Tetorakis is handling the cocktails, which will emphasize local spirits. Drinks will be listed in a floppy leather-bound book designed to resemble a motorcycle trip log. Status: Opening tonight. 8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, Va.; website.

Gypsy Soul Brunch

Gypsy Soul Lunch

Gypsy Soul Dinner

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