Inca Social, a restaurant serving modern Peruvian cuisine in an elaborately-designed space, is set to open tomorrow in Rosslyn.
The eatery is opening in the 7,600 square foot space at 1776 Wilson Blvd formerly occupied by Kona Bar and Grill. This is the business’s second location; the other, in Vienna near the Dunn-Loring Metro station, opened in early 2019.
Inca Social is known for its modern take on Peruvian cuisine, but co-owner Fito Garcia told ARLnow last month that the Arlington location will focus on Nikkei cuisine — a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese that’s becoming popular in Peru.
That includes sushi and ceviche, combining Amazonian fish with Japanese ingredients and preparation methods.
For the moment, though, Arlington’s Inca Social will have the same menu as the one in Vienna while adding a “few special fusion dishes,” a spokesperson says. An Arlington-specific menu will be rolled out in January.
Traditional dishes on the menu include empanadas, Peruvian street style skewers of beef heart, causas (“potato salad on steroids“), and tres leches. There’s also set to be a to-go market with ceviche kits and bottles of Inca Social’s leche de tigre marinade for sale.
A large indoor bar, specializing in pisco sours, has windows that also serve the restaurant’s outdoor patio.
Decor is a large part of Inca Social’s vibe in Arlington.
While it does resemble the original location, the interior also has colorful murals, moss-lined walls, and cherry blossom trees meant to invoke Japanese culture. Globe lights and cooper lights spread out through the space are intended to symbolize the sun, which the Incas worshiped. The tables, if pushed together, depict the Amazon River and much of the art is supposed to be reminiscent of Nazca lines. Additionally, there’s wall art featuring llamas, an animal important in Peruvian culture.
“The interior… will tie together inspiration from Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization into the restaurant’s modern environment,” says a press release.
Inca Social co-owner Fito Garcia is an owner of Courthaus Social in Courthouse, just up the street. He told ARLnow in November that he always envisioned opening an Inca Social in Arlington.