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Mike Isabella has had big years, but if everything rolls out as planned, 2015 will be remarkable. The bulk of his eager expansion will be in Ballston, where Kapnos Taverna, Pepita and Yona will roll out. He’ll also touch down in Maryland with Kapnos Kouzina in Bethesda Row. Don’t be shocked when you see your seatmate unwrap something from Mike mid-flight: Kapnos Taverna is opening at Reagan National Airport; Pepita in LAX; and a new concept, Beach Bar, will go into Pensacola Airport. Openings aren’t simple cut-and-pastes for the chef. “I tweak the menu to better incorporate local products and cuisine,” he tells us. “Somewhere between 25-40% of the Graffiato Richmond menu is different because we use what's local and bring Southern flavor." Richmond’s Graffiato opened in 2014.
