The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is a powerful pickup truck that stands tall among a stacked lineup. With six powertrains to choose from, the Sierra 1500 has endless options to fit your needs.

The 4.3-liter gas V6 engine offers 285 horsepower, 305 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Those are the lowest numbers among the engine lineup and yet still very powerful. If drivers are looking for something more, they should browse the 6.2-liter Eco-Tec®3 V8 engine, which pumps out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Those are the highest numbers out of the lineup. The rest of the Sierra 1500’s engine lineup falls between these two, offering various transmissions and the EPA estimated fuel economy.

Regardless, drivers will find a powerful work truck in the GMC Sierra 1500.

Tags: 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 1500
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The 2021 Buick Encore is an SUV that focuses on what families need. With a focus on safety and convenience features, it strives to enhance your daily life.

With the available OnStar® safety and security system, drivers can feel safe and confident on every road they travel. This system comes with Automatic Crash Response, Roadside Assistance, and Emergency Services. Each of these technologies focuses on providing ways to keep your family safe in case of an unexpected incident. Which they can do on trips around the city or to the beach, for example. No matter where your family goes, they can easily fit in all their items and fit comfortably in the five supportive seats.

Whether you hit the road or stay close to home, the 2021 Buick Encore can be your everyday vehicle. Test drive one today to see if it’s right for you.

Tags: 2021 Buick Encore, 2021 Encore, Buick Encore
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Baltimore, Maryland, is a city with a history of firsts. It’s home to the first post office system in the country, the first telegraph line, the first regular railroad passenger service, and more. It was also one of the first cities in the nation to enact a Percent for Art Law in 1964, which required the city to give 1% of its capital construction costs to public artwork.

This means the city now has hundreds of public art pieces in its collection for everyone to enjoy. To discover some of the most unique pieces for yourself, check out a few of these top public art installations throughout Baltimore.

“Red Buoyant”

The “Red Buoyant” sculpture in the Inner Harbor might be one of the most recognizable pieces of public art in the city. The sculpture was created by local artist Mary Ann Mears and installed in 1978. Mears said she created it to look like a big wave rolling in the direction of traffic. In 1984, Baltimore gifted a similar sculpture to its sister city of Kawasaki, Japan. To show its appreciation, Kawasaki gave Baltimore the lantern garden that’s located near the Maryland Science Center.

Park Avenue and West Franklin Street Mural

One of the most eye-catching murals in the city is located at a parking lot at West Franklin Street and Park Avenue in Mount Vernon. Created by artist Jeff Huntington, who makes art under the name JAHRU, the mural showcases the area’s history with a striking depiction of a dragon and a lion.

At the end of World War II, the area around Park Avenue was home to the city’s Chinatown. When the Chinese population eventually moved on, a sizable group of Ethiopian immigrants moved into the area. Today, if you walk down Park Avenue, you’ll see an unusual combination of Asian architecture and Ethiopian shops and restaurants. The mural on Park Avenue has a dragon, which represents Chinese mythology, merging with a lion, which represents the Lion of Judah that was on the flag of Ethiopia until 1974.

Divine Mural

Another popular mural located in the Mount Vernon area is a large tribute to Baltimore drag queen, singer, and actor Divine, the Hairspray star who was born Harris Glenn Milstead. Homeowners Tom Williams and Jesse Salazar commissioned Gaia, a graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art who has other works of art around the city, to paint the mural on a wall outside of their home.

Since their home is in a historic district and the mural violates the rules on what owners can paint on their houses, the neighborhood’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation almost made the homeowners remove it. However, after objections from the city’s residents, the committee made a single exception for the mural. You can now head to Preston Street to view Divine in all of her colorful glory.

Pushpin Bus Stop

It’s easy to see the bus stop at Highland Avenue and Baltimore Street. Located in the Baltimore Highlands neighborhood, this bus stop features a giant red pushpin punching through the roof of the bus shelter. On top of the roof sit the words “Estamos aqui,” which means “We’re here” in Spanish. Artist Rachel Timmins designed the sculpture to pay tribute to the Spanish-speaking residents in the area and to let them know that they matter.

Jones Falls Expressway Murals

Jones Falls Expressway carries Interstate 83 from the northern suburbs to downtown Baltimore. If you head to the open area beneath the expressway at Holliday and Saratoga Streets every Sunday from April to December, you’ll find the Baltimore Farmers’ Market and Bazaar. While you’re shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, seafood, freshly baked bread and pastries, gourmet foods, handmade crafts, and more, take some time to view the murals painted on the expressway’s columns. Each column has a different design and a plaque with the artist’s information.

“Equilibrium”

You don’t have to visit a museum to see a painting by renowned Baltimore artist Amy Sherald. Instead, check out the wall of the Parkway Theatre to see her “Equilibrium” mural. The mural depicts a woman balancing a pole across her shoulders while she holds a heart dangling from a chain in one hand. The woman’s gray skin tone stands out against the vivid orange and red striped background. While Sherald’s best-known piece, a portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., this mural is her first large-scale public artwork.

Love Murals

Artists Scott Burkholder and Michael Owen have connected Baltimore’s diverse neighborhoods with four simple letters: love. They call their street art campaign the Baltimore Love Project, and they painted 20 murals around the city with four hands spelling the word “love.” Their murals are located in a variety of neighborhoods so as many residents as possible can feel the love. Since you can find the murals everywhere from the former Northwestern High School in Fallstaff to Holabird Avenue in Dundalk, spending a day trying to find all of them is a great way to see the city.

Remington Avenue and Keswick Street Light Poles

While much of the public art in Baltimore is commissioned as part of its Percent for Art program, not all of it is. You can find several unique examples of non-commissioned artwork in the city if you explore a few blocks around Keswick Street and Remington Avenue in the Hampden neighborhood. Here you’ll find approximately 18 streetlight poles decorated with elaborately hand-painted designs by Peter the Pole Painter. This artist doesn’t have social media accounts, business cards, or ambitions of fame. Instead, his only goal is to embellish the streets where he lives with a little art.

Baltimore has a rich and diverse public art scene with everything from statues to murals. These are a few of our favorite pieces of public art around the city. Did we forget to include one of your favorite pieces? Please be sure to contact Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC and let us know so we can add it to our list!

If you’re looking to sell your car or truck, now is the time! Koons Woodbridge Buick is buying all vehicles! Check out how you can sell your car and get an estimate!

*Image via Flickr by bopapublicart

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If you’re a sushi lover who is only satisfied with the freshest and best-presented sushi, you won’t be disappointed in the choice options that Washington D.C. offers. Although it’s difficult to select the best among D.C.’s selection of outstanding Japanese restaurants, there are a few gems that stand out from the rest. Here are a few must-visits for any sushi aficionado who finds themselves in the capital city.

1. Sushi Ogawa

When you enter Sushi Ogawa, the serene atmosphere has an immediate relaxing effect. This small restaurant, which is located in an apartment building in Kalorama, has a clean and contemporary interior design, with honey-colored accents and a ceiling of hand-painted fish providing a cozy and intimate feel. Owner Minoru Ogawa, whose father and brother are master sushi chefs in Japan, has decades of experience.

To see him doing what he does best, take a seat at one of the seven seats around the smooth cedar sushi bar counter. Here the omakase (chef’s choice) is displayed and Ogawa gets to show off his knife skills. Enjoying the omakase tastings at Sushi Ogawa doesn’t come cheap, though. You can either opt for the Chef’s Selection, which costs $195, or the Premium Selection, which will set you back $260. However, you’ll be served fresh and top-quality fish that’s been imported from the famed Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.

2. Sushi Gakyu

Chef-owner Yoshihisa Ota specializes in sushi at his 54-seat restaurant. This means that at Sushi Gakyu you’ll find no fryer or grill. Located a stone’s throw away from the White House, this premium sushi restaurant boasts a modern, industrial-style setting with a large sushi bar, white maple tables, and two-toned walls. However, the attractive setting fades in comparison to the food that Chef Ota, who has worked in many top restaurants, serves.

For starters, try the Tofu Dengaku, which consists of a trio of savory tofu lollipops, each dipped in a different miso sauce, or Ukazo, which is eel and cucumber marinated in a vinegar sauce. You can choose from a selection of sashimi and sushi plates for your main meal. You can also reserve an omakase sushi meal. For $100, you receive three appetizers, 11 pieces of premium nigiri, and dessert.

3. Kotobuki

Kotobuki is a quaint hole-in-the-wall sushi joint that can seat about 15 people max. With its white walls, decorated here and there with a few splashes of red and black paint, the setting of Kotobuki is simple and unpretentious. Don’t mind the lack of decor though. The food at this Japanese restaurant is both delicious and affordable.

If you’re lucky enough to find one of the five seats open at the sushi counter, you’ll most probably see chef-owner Hisao Abe in action, busy making his fine sushi creations. Otherwise, you can take a seat at one of the small tables in the unassuming dining room.

Apart from offering fresh and delicious sushi and sashimi on the menu, Kotobuki is also the only Japanese restaurant in D.C. that serves kamameshi. This is a traditional Japanese hot pot rice dish, cooked in a traditional iron kettle and served with sashimi, miso soup, and three house specialties, such as pickled beets and brined daikon. Another traditional dish served at Kotobuki that you don’t find that often on the menus of other Japanese restaurants is oshizushi, which is pressed sushi cakes.

4. Kaz Sushi Bistro

Since the opening of its doors in 1999, Kaz Sushi Bistro has proved to be one of Washington D.C’s most exceptional Japanese restaurants. The long list of awards that the restaurant has raked in over the years, such as the 2006 RAMMY Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year, is testimony to the superior food and service offered at this establishment. Owner Chef Kaz calls the food he serves “freestyle Japanese cuisine,” as he likes to give traditional dishes a modern twist and present them in an original way.

Chef Kaz is a pioneer in many ways. Apart from being the first chef in Washington D.C to receive training in the art of preparing and serving blowfish, he was also the first to bring premium sake to the city. Kaz Sushi Bistro offers a spacious and stylish setting, with an attractive sushi bar and a dining area with warm, autumn tones. The menu offers a selection of cold small plates, hot small plates, and sushi and sashimi tasting plates. You can also reserve omakase sushi for a special occasion.

5. Perry’s

If you’re into savoring delectable nigiri on a snazzy rooftop bar, cocktail in hand, Perry’s is the Asian hangout for you. The restaurant is located in the middle of Adams Morgan Party Central so it’s the perfect spot if you feel like enjoying quality sushi in a buzzing nightlife setting. Apart from its dazzling, illuminated rooftop, Perry’s also offers a classic wood-paneled dining room on the ground floor for a more intimate and sophisticated dining experience. 

Start the evening with a Caipirinha and one of their delectable starters, such as steamed edamame with Japanese sea salt or Nasu Agedashi, which is a traditional eggplant dish. For mains, you’ll do well to opt for sushi, as it’s good. Especially the nigiri is excellent. Other options on the menu include kare ramen, which is a Japanese-style curry dish, and the Kushikatsu Platter, which consists of fried skewered meat, seasonal vegetables, okra, shrimp, pork belly, and tonkatsu sauce.

6. Shibuya Eatery

Shibuya Eatery is a brand-new tri-level Japanese restaurant in Adams Morgan. It’s the brainchild of chef Darren Norris, who is known for opening one of the first izakayas, called Kushi, in Washington D.C. Norris’ vision for Shibuya Eatery, is to offer a modern spin on izakaya fare. The menu offers a wide selection of sushi and sashimi options, small plates, bento boxes, fresh noodles, and rice bowls. A binchotan charcoal grill supplies different meats, such as lobster tail, short ribs, pork belly, and koji-cured chicken thighs, for a variety of meat skewers, called kushiyaki.

The small venue is cozy but offers limited seating. However, there’s a cheerful outdoor seating area with gas heaters where patrons can enjoy their food. Located on the top floor of the building is Death Punch Bar, where patrons can also order from the Shibuya Eatery. Apart from a pool table, the bar offers a few tables where you can sit down to savor your meal.

If you’re a lover of sushi and the good things in life, do yourself a favor and put aside some time to visit these choice Japanese eateries in the American capital.

*Image via Flickr by hirotomo

Tags: Sushi, Washington
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Although sushi is delicious, and so are a variety of other dishes that originated on distant shores, there are times when all you want is a juicy burger with some tater tots or a New England-style clam chowder. If you live in or around Woodbridge, Virginia, there are a few quality restaurants you can visit on those days when the craving for some decent American food hits.

The Secret Garden Cafe

The Secret Garden Cafe, which lies in the heart of Historic Old Town Occoquan, boasts a beautiful setting. It’s located in a house that was erected in 1840 and was inhabited by the town pharmacist. Over the years, the house provided a home for many families until it was recently converted into a restaurant. Inside the venue, the raw-brick fireplace and wooden floors and furniture provide a homey and rustic feel. When it’s a nice day, the outside area, which offers views of the gorgeous secluded garden, is a lovely spot to enjoy a meal.

All the items on the restaurant’s menu are prepared from scratch with only the freshest and quality ingredients. Since the chefs create the recipes, they bring their own unique touches and cooking styles to the dishes, which makes for an eclectic menu. Apart from Mediterranean influences, the menu also offers a few American favorites.

For lunch, try the Georgia Reuben, which consists of rye bread topped with sliced roast turkey, coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing. Apart from a mouthwatering Black & Bleu Ribeye with gorgonzola cream and roasted potatoes, the entree list includes Shrimp & Grit Cakes, which is jumbo tiger prawns served with roasted corn salsa and cheddar grit cake, and Lump Crab Cakes with cauliflower mash and sauteed vegetables.

The Bungalow Alehouse

If you’re in the mood for some good beer, a game of pool, and delicious pub fare, head out to Bungalow Alehouse, which is located in a popular shopping/restaurant strip along the Prince William Parkway. The Alehouse features a large venue, which is divided into three spaces: the bar area, dining room, and pool hall. All spaces are clean and the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. 

Owners Keith and Cheryl Early opened the original Bungalow Billiards and Brew in Chantilly back in 1997. The concept was to provide a restaurant where patrons could enjoy good food and interact with each other in a clean and comfortable environment. Their concept worked and it wasn’t long before the Earlys opened other Bungalow venues.

At the Bungalow Alehouse, patrons can choose from a large variety of beers on tap, including various lagers, stouts, Irish red ales, IPAs, ciders, and more. The food menu offers an equally wide selection of tasty pub fare. If you feel like a light snack, try some fried pickles, served with a side of chipotle ranch dressing, or a few Reuben Spring Rolls made with corn beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. 

The locals rave about the jumbo chicken wings, hand-tossed in your choice of sauce, and served with carrots, celery, and homemade garlic ranch dressing. In addition, the menu offers fire-grilled pizzas and juicy burgers. Try the mouthwatering Applewood Bacon Cheese Burger, with an Angus beef patty, Applewood smoked bacon, and Vermont white cheddar.

Buffalo Philly’s

Buffalo Philly’s is a fast-food joint that serves all your standard American favorites. You can sit down for a meal in the clean and pleasant venue, which features bright red and yellow walls and red, cozy booths. Or, if you feel like having a night in, order takeout or request a delivery. Buffalo Philly’s guarantee that their food is always fresh. What’s more, their menu items are also super affordable. So, when you’re on a tight budget and in the mood for some quick comfort food, Buffalo Philly’s is just the place for you.

The menu offers a variety of American staples, such as boneless strips, hot dogs, pizzas, burgers, and combo meals. Their buffalo wings, which you can pair with one or more of their 22 delicious sauces, are very popular. Another hot favorite is the Philadelphia cheesesteak, served with sauteed Vidalia onions and Portobello mushrooms. Testament to how good these dishes are is the fact that Philly’s cheesesteak and buffalo wings have been voted the best in Woodbridge.

Silver Diner

Silver Diner is a regional chain that’s modeled after the classic American diner. Featuring checkered floors, plush booths, jukebox tunes, neon lights, and a long sit-down counter, the venue has a retro 50s vibe. To see what this diner has to offer, take the short 13-minute drive out of Woodbridge to Dale City. 

According to the wealth of positive reviews this chain has been receiving, you won’t regret the drive. Apart from a cheerful vibe, patrons report that the place offers friendly and efficient service, and food that’s both tasty and reasonably priced. In addition, Silver Diner is open from 7 a.m. until 12 a.m. for dine-in guests and a delivery service runs until 10.30 p.m.

What distinguishes Silver Diner from most other traditional diners is the abundance of vegan, vegetarian, and generally healthy options on the menu. If you’re trying to get your bikini body ready for the summer, opt for items such as the Tofu Banh Mi, which is sambal agave-glazed non-GMO tofu, banh mi slaw, pickled ginger, and eggless mayo served on ciabatta. 

However, those who want to tuck into some American comfort food will not be disappointed. The menu offers delectable items such as Ribeye Philly Steak with caramelized onions and white American cheese, Kickin’ Crab & Corn Chowder, and the Kickin’ Wagyu Burger with nitrate-free bacon, cheddar, jalapenos, and southwest ranch.

When the mood hits for some American comfort food, head out to these restaurants and eateries in and around Woodbridge. They all offer distinct settings and unique takes on American staples, so you can enjoy different dining experiences depending on your mood. What these restaurants all have in common, however, is the delicious food and attentive service they provide their patrons. Do you have another favorite to add to the list? Let the team at Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC know, and we’ll check it out.

*Image via Flickr by avlxyz

Tags: American food, Woodbridge
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Auto finance is a dense subject full of strange sounding terms. Here at Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC, we pride ourselves on demystifying every aspect of the car buying process, especially auto finance terms. Take APR, for example.

The Annual Percentage Rate

There is a common misconception that an APR is an interest rate, the interest you pay on your auto loan. However, the APR is actually a number expressed as a percentage that includes the interest rate on your loan. Similar to the interest rate, the APR is a charge that you pay for the perk of borrowing money. The APR also includes a whole schedule of additional fees that you pay just to get the loan.

Buy Rate, APR When you apply for dealer-coordinated financing, a potential lender quotes a unique interest rate called a buy rate. As mentioned above, this interest rate eventually becomes part of the APR. Since different lenders may quote different buy rates, your final APR may vary according to your particular lender’s buy rate.

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If you’re the parent of a teenager, you know that learning to drive is an exciting time. At Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC, we want you to know about the latest technology designed with your teenager in mind. The following GMC Yukon connectivity features can help keep your teen driver safer behind the wheel.

Handing over the keys to your young driver can be a nerve-wracking experience. The Yukon’s Teen Driver safety suite can set safety limits such as maximum vehicle speed and disabled radio until front seat belts are buckled. This system also issues a driving performance report card that is updated each time your teen takes the wheel.

Yukon’s Teen Driver system can only police your teenager while they’re driving. Fortunately, the Yukon is also equipped with hands-free Bluetooth calling. The Yukon simplifies keeping tabs on your Woodbridge teen.

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If you’re looking for a three-row luxury SUV in the Woodbridge area, be sure to check out the new Buick Enclave models available at Koons Woodbridge Buick. This three-row luxury SUV both looks and feels great, and you’ll enjoy the family-friendly luxury experience as you travel.

Whether you’re on your way to work and dropping kids off at school along the way, or you and your family are heading out for a big family road trip, the three-row Buick Enclave will give you the luxury experience you need to enjoy every mile. Premium leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, and the confidence of a forward collision alert system means you can be both comfortable and confident behind the wheel. You’ll also get all-wheel drive capability to help you handle a wide range of conditions, and the turbocharged power gives you plenty of punch to get you up to speed on the highway. Visit us to test drive a new Buick Enclave today!

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The most sophisticated safety systems in the world don’t mean much if you don’t have brakes that can handle the job of slowing you down in a hurry. And while you may not think about your brakes very often, it is important that they are inspected and maintained to ensure your safety behind the wheel.

Your brake rotors and pads are the most likely parts to wear out, with your pads taking the brunt of the abuse when it comes time to slow you down. Worn brake pads start with the tell-tale squeal that lets you know your brakes need attention, and if ignored a grinding will replace it that means you’ve gone beyond the pad material and are now damaging brake rotors and other components. Visit Koons Woodbridge Buick for our expert brake inspection and maintenance services to ensure you can stop with confidence.

Tags: Buick Brake service
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