Description
In this fraught moment for the people of Iran, please join us for dinner and conversation at Joon, the acclaimed modern Persian restaurant in Tysons Corner, Virginia, whose name—a Persian term of endearment meaning “life” or “soul”—reflects the warmth and connection it brings to every dining experience. Joon co-owner and legendary Persian chef and author Najmieh Batmanglij will welcome guests to the evening, co-hosted by journalist Jason Rezaian and Nathan Thornburgh, co-founder of global food and travel company Roads & Kingdoms. Jason and Nathan met through Roads & Kingdoms’ partner Anthony Bourdain, who was always one for a good time for a good cause.
When: Monday, April 27; 6:30-9:30 pm
Where: Joon: 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120, Vienna, VA 22182
Price: $150, includes a family-style Persian feast. Wine sold separately.
Net proceeds benefit: Children of Persia, a local organization supporting humanitarian relief for families and children in Iran. For countless families affected by the ongoing war in Iran, this season has been marked by fear, loss, and uncertainty. Children—who should be surrounded by joy, learning, and safety—are instead facing displacement, hunger, and trauma. Children of Persia is able to work legally and effectively with our team inside Iran to deliver essential food and aid packages to those most affected. For families navigating uncertainty, these packages offer more than nourishment—they provide relief, stability, and a reminder that they are not alone.
“Iran’s greatest contribution to the world is its deep humanity, followed closely by its food. Both are being obscured by conflict, so elevating them into the conversation feels really important right now.”
— Jason Rezaian
Joon blends centuries-old Persian flavors with modern culinary artistry, celebrating fire, spice, and soul through refined dishes and warm hospitality. Voted Best Restaurant in Virginia by readers of the Washingtonian and a New York Times top 50, Joon was brought to life by founder Reza Farahani, whose vision and passion for Persian culture led him to assemble an extraordinary culinary team, together with co-owners Chris Morgan, the chef behind Michelin-starred Maydan in Washington, D.C., and Najmieh Batmanglij, a world-renowned Persian cookbook author whose four decades of culinary scholarship form the heart and soul of Joon’s menu. Together, this dream team delivers an unforgettable dining experience, with signature dishes like lamb and pistachio meatballs, crispy tahdig rice, and the ever-popular Persian Love Cake.
Jason Rezaian has been a Washington Post journalist since 2012, when he joined as the Tehran correspondent. In his many years covering Iran, he wrote about every aspect of life in the country, from the day-to-day hopes and struggles of ordinary Iranians to high-stakes negotiations between Tehran and Washington. But really, he was there for love. For his wife, Yeganeh, for his homeland, and for the food of Iran. Together they appeared in the Iran episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. In July of 2014, they were arrested on baseless espionage charges, an experience he discussed with Nathan Thornburgh in 2019 on a Roads & Kingdoms podcast. At the time, Jason was developing culinary tours of Iran.
Nathan Thornburgh co-founded Roads & Kingdoms in 2012 and ran the independent media company with Anthony Bourdain and co-founders Matt Goulding and Doug Hughmanick for years, winning numerous awards, including a Primetime Emmy and a National Magazine Award. In recent years, R&K launched the League of Travelers, offering small-group culinary journeys, and R&K Insiders, a membership program that includes a new print magazine and digital editorial, and the Anti-ICE Supper Club, a successor to the Banned Countries Dinners they launched in 2017 with Anthony Bourdain and chefs from the Somali, Persian, and Syrian diasporas.
Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred. If you have any questions about these events or would like to transfer tickets, please contact tatiana@roadsandkingdoms.com