Nicholas Alexander Farley has spent the last six years turning up the heat in kitchens across Northern Virginia—from food trucks and catering gigs to fine dining and restaurant launches. Now, at just 24 years old, he’s preparing to open the doors to his own dream restaurant: The Rustic Tavern.

“I’ve always had a passion for food—and everybody loves my food,” Farley told The Breeze. A self-taught chef who’s honed his craft through experience and hustle, he’s stepping into a new role as not just the head chef, but also the general manager and visionary behind the venture.

Located at Hotel Lake Anna off of 208, the space that used to be The Hideaway is being carefully built out—plumbing, permits, and final touches underway—The Rustic Tavern will offer American-style cuisine with a twist. “We don’t just want to serve a regular burger. We want to elevate it,” Farley explains. “This should be the kind of place that people from all over Virginia want to come and try.”

Set to open this Summer, owner Puneet Ahluwalia’s vision is to create a community restaurant that will uplift and bring the community together.

“Good food, enjoy the ambiance, and make memories. That’s what we’re here for,” Ahluwalia says. “And we want to do it without impacting your pocketbook.”

The menu is finalized, and the team is currently hiring for key positions. “We’ve found the chef, the cook, and now we’re just getting the final permits. People are working. Things are in motion.”

Jen Bailey

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