New seafood eatery Seamore’s is looking to open in Clarendon in the late summer, possibly by August, co-owner Jay Wainwright tells ARLnow.
The New York-based chain first announced its move here in November. It will be the restaurant’s first location outside of New York City. Ownership chose the D.C. region, specifically Clarendon, due to its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay.
“Seamore’s ethos is about local and sustainability,” Wainwright says. “We think the Potomac and Chesapeake Region is the next great place for us for our concept.”
Seamore’s touts fresh seafood from local sources. A large portion of what will be served at the restaurant will be from the Bay, he says.
Wainwright also noted that Clarendon’s demographic is a “perfect fit” due to the vibrancy and walkability of the neighborhood.
Seamore’s will splash into newly-rebranded The Crossing Clarendon, at the corner of N. Edgewood Street and Clarendon Blvd, a spot that was previously the home of Baja Fresh. The space has been without a tenant for more than three years and the building recently underwent major renovations.
The 2,605 square foot restaurant is next door to Tatte Bakery, the Boston-based cafe that opened in September.
Seamore’s decor and menu in Arlington will differ from the New York locations.
“We are working with some local artists to add some Chesapeake accents which we think will stand out,” a restaurant spokesperson told ARLnow in an email in regards to decor. “Keep an eye out overhead when you dine for a school of fish that may be swimming by.”
Much of the menu is still to be determined, says Wainwright, and will be at the discretion of the local executive chef the company is currently looking to hire. But it will also be dependent on what’s being caught locally.
“Essentially, we only serve what the [fishermen] catch,” the spokesperson said. “As a result, our menu changes daily if not hourly based on what the local [fishermen] are bringing us.”
There are currently six Seamore’s locations, all in New York. The menus include local oysters, lobster rolls, monkfish, crispy squid, scallops, steelhead trout, catch of the day, seared tuna, and “fisherman’s stew.” There are also non-seafood options like chicken tinga tacos, kale and avocado salad, and churro ice cream sandwiches.
While this is Seamore’s first foray into Arlington, that’s not the case for Wainwright. He opened the first Cosi in America in the mid-1990s and quickly expanded the fast casual chain. For a number of years, there were several locations in Arlington before the last one closed in Rosslyn early last year.
He also helped grow Le Pain Quotidien in the mid 2000s, which has a location in Clarendon directly across the street from where Seamore’s will be.