Fairfax County, VA – December 8, 2020 – Visit Fairfax, the official tourism organization for Fairfax County, Virginia, announces the launch of a multi-faceted marketing campaign to directly support local Fairfax County restaurants this winter as they navigate the effects of COVID-19.

Visit Fairfax is encouraging residents to #SaveTheDateNight by treating themselves and loved ones to delicious meals made by Fairfax County restaurants. The campaign highlights several elements to support takeout, delivery, outdoor heated dining, and indoor dining, as well as a new Chocolate Safari adventure throughout various restaurants in the county.

A symbol of love, hope, and commitment, chocolate is the ultimate feel-good treat. Fairfax County restaurants have offered up special menu items straight from their kitchens that feature this delectable ingredient as part of the Fairfax County Chocolate Safari. From the famous Chocolate Souffle at L’Auberge Chez Francois to Dark Chocolate-filled Pretzel Croissants at Nordic-Knot to Double Chocolate French Toast at Barrel & Bushel to Elden Street Tea Shop’s Chocolate Butterscotch looseleaf tea (made with cacao husks from River-Sea Chocolate Factory), there are a myriad of chocolately dishes to choose from. Try them all – or gift them to loved ones – this winter and holiday season. See the map and take the Chocolate Safari here.

Additionally, residents can find heated outdoor dining options, browse updated safety protocols like table dividers, mobile payments, single-use menus, and more, and utilize the recently updated Fairfax County Restaurant Trail mobile passport (formerly the Takeout Trail) to find the latest options for takeout, delivery, and dine-in, plus exclusive special offers like 50 percent off wine or free appetizers. Visit FXVA.com/fairfax-virginia-restaurants/ for more information.

Each Thursday this winter starting December 10th, hungry residents can follow @VisitFairfax on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to win gift certificates from select restaurants by sharing something they love about a person they would like to #SaveTheDateNight with, whether that is a friend, a significant other, a parent, or even a four-legged friend.

“With winter looming ahead, compounded by a global pandemic, our local restaurants need our support more than ever,” said Barry Biggar, President & CEO of Visit Fairfax. “We remain dedicated to helping our hard-working restaurateurs and dining establishments in every way we can and encourage the Fairfax County community to come together in a fun and delicious way via this new marketing program. After all, Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers!”

Fairfax County restaurants wishing to submit a chocolate menu item may still do so here. Those who also wish to join the Restaurant Trail passport can sign up here. There is no cost to participate in any of these initiatives. For additional information, call 703-790-0643.

The current (and growing) list of participating restaurants for the Chocolate Safari include:

See the full Chocolate Safari map here and keep checking back for more additions! For more on the entire program, visit FXVA.com/fairfax-virginia-restaurants.