Vapiano Eases on Out to Dulles

Vapiano is sleek, cosmopolitan and serves fresh gourmet pastas, pizzas and salads. I think it is the best of the fresh casual category to open since Chipotle. There is a sparkle to the entire design concept and an energy in the open food preparation. The key is that the flavor profiles carry that same exuberance -- the food tastes mighty fine. With restaurants open throughout Germany, as well as in Zurich, Vienna, Istanbul, Budapest, Warsaw-Poland, Stockholm-Sweden, Dubai-Emirates, Jedda and Riad-Saudi Arabia, London, England and now the United States -- the uber cool design and ambiance makes it easy to have a good time.

Dulles Town Center opened this evening with plans to target Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Boston, New York City and other key markets for corporate expansion. For more fotos of the evening's activities, check out the FOTO GALLERY. Restaurants are 5,000-8,000 square feet, seat 150 or so guests and have a blended check average of about $13.50 per guest.