Stomping Ground Plans to Set Up Second Shop in Former Isabella Eatery

Biscuits to the rescue

Stomping Ground, the farmhouse-styled Southern breakfast stalwart in suburban Alexandria, plans to open another location in part of the former Isabella Eatery space in Tysons Corner. Owner Nicole Jones, the woman behind the Del Ray shop that churns out some of the finest biscuits in the area, tells Northern Virginia Magazine she agreed to fill part of the Tysons Galleria ghost town. Stomping Ground’s website says “Stomping Ground Tysons” is coming soon. Isabella Eatery closed in August, leaving behind infrastructure from 10 different concepts.

Jones told Northern Virginia Magazine that the new Stomping Ground will take over the former location of Non-Fiction Coffee, and other restaurants are being recruited to fill up the food hall. Jones also says she doesn’t think it’s an accident that, as “a queer woman,” she’s being tabbed to take over for Isabella, who is fending off his partners for control of his restaurant group. Isabella filed for bankruptcy in September following a sexual harassment settlement with Chloe Caras, who was the director of operations at Isabella Eatery. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Be nice to your server today

From the host stand to the sauté station, working in restaurants is a mentally and physically taxing experience that can have serious ramifications on workers’ mental health. Washington City Paper has an extensive, important read on the challenges members of the service industry in D.C. are facing, and how they’re seeking help. [WCP]

Food hall trinity

Because two dueling Asian food halls are not enough, Rockville will soon have a third. Bethesda Magazine reports that The Block, the sprawling spot for snocream, poke, and Thai street food in Annandale, Virginia, is expanding to the Pike & Rose development in Rockville sometime next year. As Lil Wayne might say circa 1999, Tha Block Is Hot (sorry, really).

Pike & Rose also announced last week that Nada, a Midwestern-based Mexican restaurant focusing on tacos and cocktails, will open its first East Coast location at the complex on Monday, November 19. [Bethesda Magazine]

New ribs in Northeast

H Street NE is close to getting a new barbecue joint. Popville points out that Smokin’ Pig has a liquor license placard posted in their window signifying that it plans to host live music and will feature a 14-seat outdoor summer garden. A picture of ribs — which appear to have a paltry or nonexistent smoke ring — promises a grand opening soon. [Popville]