Meet McLean

Meet Zeynel Abidin Uzun, owner of Kazan restaurant. Since opening its doors in 1980, Kazan has become a Washington institution and is deeply rooted in the McLean community. The family atmosphere, emphasis on the freshest ingredients and friendly service have remained...

Meet Gracie de Luca, the manager at Pure Barre McLean. de Luca is a also a teacher at Pure Barre McLean.  Pure Barre McLean's 50 minute group class workouts focus on low-impact, small movements that promise to strengthen and tone your entire body. Q. Explain to us,...

Meet Bailey Kasten, owner of Artisan Confections. In October, Artisan Confections opened their new chocolate shop in McLean. "We want to spread the word that McLean has a European style chocolate shop in town. If you want to get chocolate that was just made, you have...

Meet Scott and Tyler Parker — owners of Playful Pack, a boarding and doggie day care business in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center. For Tyler, it's also personal as he lives here with his wife Alyssa [a co-owner] and two daughters, one at McLean High School and one at...

Meet Amir Mostafavi, the owner/founder/CEO of South Block Juice Co. — Northern Virginia's first Cold Pressed Juice company which celebrates it's first anniversary in McLean’s Chesterbrook Shopping Center next month. Behind the scenes: South Block I grew up in McLean....

Meet Donna Shore, the manager of Roots Kitchen and Bar. Since 2021, Roots —at 8100 Old Dominion Drive— has held a special place in the McLean community —  a gathering place to meet friends and neighbors; a place to enjoy a coffee or a cocktail; to eat-in or take out a...

Meet Andrew Carter, manager of the Old Firehouse Center [OFC], the teen center run by McLean Community Center. For over 13 years, Carter has worked at the Old Firehouse — an award-winning facility that creates fun for kids in a safe atmosphere and a place for McLean,...

In this week’s TALK series, McLean Today sits down with Sam Simon — a longtime McLean resident, playwright and actor. Simon, 78, started his career in Washington, D.C. as a lawyer for Ralph Nader’s first advocacy group and then spent 25 years as head of a public...

In this week’s TALK series, McLean Today sits down with Sarah Farzayee, a member of the McLean Central Playground Team [MCPT]. MCPT is a grass-roots group of local parent volunteers with a common goal of seeing growth in the McLean community. They came together after...

In this week’s TALK series, McLean Today sits down with Emma Blankenbaker [pictured above front], chair of McLean Matters, and Savitha Sagar, Vice President of Programs at the McLean High School PTSA [Parent Teacher Student Association].  McLean High School has...

In this week’s TALK series, McLean Today sits down with Gholam “Tony” Kowkabi, owner, Divan restaurant. Divan is the first Persian eatery opened by the restaurateur, a native of Tehran known for D.C. restaurants including Ristorante Piccolo and Catch 15. Q. Tell us a...

In this week’s TALK series, McLean Today sits down with Lauren Rothman, principal and founder of fashion consulting firm Styleauteur. For over 20 years, Rothman has been a brand image strategist, thought leader, and highly sought after expert and speaker on corporate...