Pastry Xpo is a coffee, pastry and light lunch oasis in Falls Church where one can enjoy a leisurely Illy coffee, choose from an amazing selection of European-style pastries and have a very tasty light lunch. There is also an impressive display of wedding cakes, gift baskets, and cakes for other occasions. Tony and Samar Srour opened the retail pastry shop in May 2008 having already established a successful wholesale company, Maurice Pastries, which supplies hotels in the Washington area. Toni, the pastry chef, learned the trade in his father’s pastry business in Lebanon and eventually decided to immigrate to Kansas and later to Washington. 
The Pastry Xpo believes in quality ingredients. Butter with a low water content is imported from France, as it the chocolate and bread for cakes and sandwiches. A full menu espresso bar produces a range of coffee, tea, and other beverages.
I have taken a large number of my friends for coffee and pastry or for lunch. It has become a favorite meeting place not only for the quality and tastiness of the pastries but also because it has a very relaxed European coffee/pastry shop atmosphere. One can chat, read, or, as some do, work on the computer Samar, the owner manager, greets new and returning customers and, when the opportunity arises, will join a table for some lively conversation. Samar encourages local artists and new works are constantly on exhibition.
The Pastry Xpo also offers attractive light lunches. Menu choices include: Quiche of the day served with baby green salad; Lentil and rice with roasted eggplant, a Pastry Xpo sampler that includes lentils and rice or half sandwich with hummus and home-made pita chips and salad with balsamic vinaigrette, or a roasted veggie sandwich on a toasted English muffin with a large house salad and Balsamic vinaigrette. In addition, Samar prepares her special Lentil soup daily. The cost of the lunch combinations is $9.99. Sandwiches are made with freshly baked bread and one can choose from pepper salami, blue cheese, roast beef, smoked turkey, black forest ham and Swiss cheese, tuna or vegetarian made with roasted vegetables, olive oil and goat cheese. Pizza is also prepared for lunch and costs $6.99. Large and half salads are also available.
Xpo serves a number of breakfast options from 6.30 AM. These range from a continental breakfast that includes assorted breakfast pastries with butter and preserves to a more substantial meal that includes cream cheese, assorted mini-bars, a choice of chilled juices or coffee. On weekends Belgian waffles are served.
A tall model wedding cake catches the eye as one enters Pastry Xpo. Custom designed cakes are a popular specialty and there is a wide range of models to choose from. A store-long glass fronted counter houses a mouth-watering display of French mini or individual pastries including chocolate éclairs, Napoleon, coconut mango cheese cake, fresh fruit tart, flourless chocolate cake. The assorted bar choices include chocolate fudge brownie, energy bar, lemon, raspberry or pecan bars. The display includes large cakes and a beautifully crafted Croquembouche tower made from little choux profiteroles filled with cream and sugar glazed. These towers, of many sizes, are popular for parties and receptions where guests can dismantle the creation profiterole by profiterole.
It’s hard to decide what is more tempting at Pastry Xpo, the sandwiches, simple and elegant, or the Illy coffee, so expertly drawn, until you see the pastries. Handcrafted by a master pastry chef, Northern Virginia has a slice of Europe right at its back door through these delectable pastries. Take a note of Pastry Xpo and when you want a quiet break for yourself or plan to meet with friends a visit will keep the cold winter days at bay.
Pastry Xpo is close to the intersection of Gallows Road and Lee Highway (Route 29) at Merrifield in Virginia. It is easy to reach from I-495, I-66 and Route 50
Vim Maguire