Latin American restaurant to open in central Annandale

Blue Moon is replacing Magill’s on Little River Turnpike.

A new restaurant/nightclub called Blue Moon, featuring international cuisine focusing on Latin America, is opening at 7201 Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

The restaurant is taking over the building next to the Diamond Lounge that formerly housed Magill’s Famous Pizza & Buffet. Magill’s closed in July, a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Blue Moon could have a soft opening as early as this week, says chef Carlos Aquin. A native of Bolivia. Aquin formerly operated La Finca Grill in Orange, Va., and before that was the executive chef at the Inn at Willow Grove, also in Orange. 

Related story: Farewell, Magill’s Famous Pizza & Buffet

The Blue Moon menu will specialize in dishes from Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico, including ceviche, silpancho, pique macho, arroz chaufa, parrilladas, churrascos, salteñas empanadas, brochetas, and flatbreads.  

Blue Moon will start out with just lunch and dinner service. Later, when the pandemic restrictions are relaxed, it will add a pub with bar food, live music, and a hookah bar.