Have you seen the homes along Chain Bridge Road? | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Chain Bridge Road in McLean is regarded as one of Northern Virginia’s most exclusive and expensive streets, earning it the nickname the “Gold Coast.” So we’re exploring five properties that show the range of homes found here.
400 Chain Bridge Rd.
This 1970s home has sold, but it’s worth a peek. With five bedrooms and bathrooms, it boasts exposed brick, wood details, and huge windows to let in a lot of natural light.
410 Chain Bridge Rd.
This modern mansion features a pool, open kitchen, wood countertops, and floor-to-ceiling windows — almost reminiscent of Blake Lively’s home in “A Simple Favor.”
Best Buns Bakery & Burgers is opening a new location in Falls Church in 2026. This will be the brand’s fourth location, offering everything from fresh-baked goodies to juicy burgers. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Seasonal
I’m dying to try this out. A limited-edition event in Alexandria called the Hot Chocolate History Tour lets you stroll through the area, enjoy a guided history lesson, and sip on a delicious hot chocolate along the way. The next one will be Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. See future dates here. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Coming Soon
Desi District, an Indian street food restaurant started in Texas, is coming to Loudoun County before the end of the year. It’s slotted for the Gum Spring Village Center in Chantilly, and will be the restaurant’s first Virginia location. Get ready for samosas, manchurian, and more tasty dishes. (The Burn)
Biz
Good news for LaPluma Coffee & Wine fans — the cafe in Old Town Alexandria is getting more outdoor seating and extended hours. Outdoor seating will increase from 28 to 40, and the venue will stay open until 10 p.m. on Sundays instead of 6 p.m. (ALXnow)
Sports
The plans for Vienna’s potential aquatics and fitness center are underway after receiving $3 million advance from Navy Federal Credit Union. The town will have to pay back the credit union by Dec. 31, 2029. Learn more about the proposed facility. (FFXnow)
Development
We’ve got updates on the closure of Layli Mediterranean — it’s due to the upcoming redevelopment of the building. A proposal introduced in 2024 outlines plans to convert the property into a mixed-use residential development with ground-floor retail space. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Try This
Coffee bar crawl, anyone? Use our guide to NOVA’s coffee shops to track down the best seasonal sips in NOVA. If you love using our guides to explore the city, consider supporting us directly — think of it like buying us a coffee.
Finance
Investing in exotic and classic vehicles delivers results — a Lamborghini Countach sale just generated a 14% net return for MCQ Markets investors. Diversify for $20 a share.*
Editor’s Pick
Did you know that NOVAtoday has been sending out newsletters every Monday through Friday (give or take a few holidays) for seven months? During that time, we’ve covered everything from restaurant openings to volunteer opportunities — but these are a few of my favorite stories I’ve had the pleasure of writing:
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The Buy
Benefit’s top-rated brow pen that’s on sale for a limited time. We love that it draws on three superfine lines in one stroke, resulting in fuller-looking brows in seconds. Bonus: Get $10 off your order of at least $20 with code HSN2025 by Sunday, Nov. 30.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
The National Zoo’s Front Royal location has welcomed four new cheetah cubs. And they are adorable. A month ago, a five-year-old cheetah mother, Amabala, gave birth to her cubs. With only an estimated 7,000 to 7,500 cheetahs remaining in the wild, every birth is a cause for celebration. You can watch these adorable cubs live on the cheetah cub cam.
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