Photos: Taste of Vienna
First annual event draws more than 5,000 people to benefit Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
Photos
The smell, taste and sounds of Vienna restaurants transformed the parking lot of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department into a food lover's dream on Saturday for the first Taste of Vienna, a fundraiser to benefit one of the area's oldest and longest-running volunteer fire operations.
More than 5,000 people came to the festival over the course of the day, picking up small plates from 30 restaurants, enjoying live entertainment and bringing children to a face painting station and fire truck moon bounce.
The idea for the festival came to the department's Anthony Stancampiano several months ago, who was inspired by the wealth of culinary talent the town has to offer and the success of other festivals like Taste of Reston, he said last week.
Dishes ranged from tacos from Tequila Grande and Alegria to curry from Tumeric, mushroom and ricotta crostinis from Culinaria Cooking School and pulled pork sliders from Maple Ave Restaurant, which sold out of food mid-afternoon.
There were old favorites like pizza from Church Street Pizza and fare from the Vienna Inn, to some new hits, like slices from Donato's Pizza and crepes from Cafe Amour, a new crepe shop opening on Maple Ave East in two weeks.
For photos from the event, click through the media gallery above.
Have photos of your own you want to share? Upload here or email erica.hendry at patch.com
For a compilation of reader reviews from Twiter and Facebook, view the storify spread here.
In This article
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Vienna Volunteer Fire Dept
400 Center St S, Vienna, VA -
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Tequila Grande
444 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA -
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Aditi Bistro
405 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA -
Culinaria Cooking School
110 Pleasant St NW, Vienna, VA
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Maple Ave Restaurant
147 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA -
Church Street Pizza
115 Church St NE, Vienna, VA -
Vienna Inn
120 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA -
Donatos Pizza
126 Branch Rd SE, Vienna, VA
Isabella Lawen
7:38 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
I was in Vienna yesterday morning on Mapple and there was not one sign as to where the event was taking place. I asked in stores and no one knew about it... Sorry to have missed it...
Kim
8:44 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
I had a great time at the Taste of Vienna yesterday. I really hope it becomes an annual event. I got all the information I needed, including a map of the vendors, from the Patch!
Yasmin Motlagh-Russo
11:18 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
We really enjoyed our afternoon, good music, good food, good friends.
Wien
11:25 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Was good event for a great cause. We walked over with friends at 11:30 and again at 2:30 and were pleased with the turnout. The only thing that surprised me was that 3-4 places didn't bother to show up...at least they already paid entry fees so the VVFD received their donation, but it was odd to see some old Vienna sports and some new Vienna options not show up (was a glaring empty table at Silva's, Kabob Tavern, to name a couple).
If you didn't have spare change yesterday, check out the Vienna VFD website for a mailing address and donation information. Let's keep these guys and ladies funded! http://www.vvfd.org/capitalcampaign.cfm?action=information
Mairtin De Faoite
12:16 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
We had a fantastic time serving our famous Edge to Edge Pizza to some of the over 5,000 people who came out to support the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department yesterday. Great cause and great event, can't wait for next year! We really enjoyed the neighborly atmosphere and tasted some delicious food from the various restaurants in town. Well done to all.
The Donatos Pizza Gang!
DD
2:47 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
It was advertised in town via a large banner over Maple Avenue at the W&OD Trail.
Debbie Casey
7:46 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
We welcomed the opportunity to participate in the first Taste of Vienna. Thanks to everyone for coming out! Just wanted to note that the name of our restaurant is "Alegria" which is Spanish for "happiness". www.alegriaonchurch.com.
suzie
8:16 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
where is the pic from other vendors...
suzie
8:20 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
Was there any other food vendors...it is all about Pizza on your page.... What is going on. There are other people that put lots of effort to come to this event you are supporting the chains not the locals..
Wien
10:56 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
If you read the article, you'd note there are mentions and links to many local places and comments on what they offered, including plugging the new crepes place. If you think not having a picture on Patch is going to impact a town business, you're just looking for a reason to be upset.
Erica R. Hendry
9:54 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
Hi Suzie,
The pictures of the Donatos Pizza tent were uploaded by the owner, Martin White (you'll see his name underneath them) because I didn't capture them during the event. Any vendors I missed are free to upload photos to this gallery or email them to me at erica.hendry at patch.com. The more the merrier!
Thanks for reading,
Erica