A new wine bar and tapas restaurant is coming to Rosslyn.
Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant plans to open in a currently vacant retail location at 1501 Wilson Blvd just after Labor Day. This will be the small Atlanta-based chain’s first D.C. area location, though it recently opened a location in Baltimore.
“Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant will offer an extensive array of by-the-glass wine options, with more than 80 different wines that may be ordered by the sip, the half-glass, full glass and bottle, with seventy-two wine available through self-serve wine machines operated through a card system,” according to a spokeswoman. “The restaurant will include chef-inspired tapas-style menu items offered for lunch and dinner and a special brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday.”
On its website, Sip says it offers bottles to patrons at retail prices — as opposed to restaurant prices — with an added $14 corkage fee. It also offers one ounce sips of dozens of wines.
The full press release, from landlord Monday Properties, after the jump.
Monday Properties announced today that it has signed a long-term lease with Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant at 1501 Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn. This will be Sip Restaurant Group’s first Washington, D.C. area location – an expansion of the highly popular Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas location in Milton, GA, Cumming, GA – and its newest location in the Baltimore Ritz Carlton Residences, scheduled to open just after Labor Day. Sip Wine Group is owned by Foster and Amy Smith and Mark and Ann Jacobs, of Milton, GA.
Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant will offer an extensive array of by-the-glass wine options, with more than 80 different wines that may be ordered by the sip, the half-glass, full glass and bottle. Seventy-two wines will be available through self-serve wine machines (operated by a card system). Featured wines will come from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, and US wineries including California’s Napa Valley and Willamette Valley in Oregon.
The restaurant will include chef-inspired tapas-style menu items offered for lunch and dinner and a special brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday. Each succulent dish will be paired with a wine suggestion. Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant will boast an open “Chef’s Table” kitchen – which will take center stage at the 4,000 square-foot restaurant – and provide seasonal outdoor dining.
Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant is proud to have Chef Greg DeMichiel bring his talents to the restaurant. A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and recent participant on the Food Network program Cutthroat Kitchen, Chef DeMichiel combines classical French cooking techniques with a contemporary approach that provides a distinct, yet familiar, culinary assortment to the menu at Sip. In May 2014, his culinary skills at Sip’s Milton, Georgia location were recognized with a “Best Fine Dining” award presented by the Taste of Alpharetta (GA) Festival.
The restaurant will feature a bold industrial chic atmosphere highlighted by distressed wood, and a vibrant color scheme that is perfectly complemented by dark wood tones. This rustic and relaxed ambiance will be enhanced with one-of-a-kind antique & unique European accents found throughout the restaurant. Guests will enjoy their stay by sitting at the family style tables, cozy booths, or at the accommodating bar. All of which will contribute to the warm and welcoming atmosphere at Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant designed by owner and designer Ann Jacobs.
Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant will occupy approximately 4,000 square feet of retail space at the street level of the 130,000-square-foot office building, an address shared by the highly popular Heavy Seas Ale House, and just steps away from Roti Mediterranean Grill and the soon-to-open SpinFire Pizza restaurant. Sip’s innovative concept of pairing wines & small tapas-style plates is scheduled to open in December.
This retail transformation comes on the heels of Monday Properties’ recent renovation projects at 1501 and 1515 Wilson Boulevard, in which the buildings’ lobbies and elevators were upgraded. Today, the buildings share an outdoor landscaped and activity plaza and new, modern façade cladding.
Tim Helmig, President and Chief Operating Officer at Monday Properties, said, “Our renovations and upgraded public amenities on Wilson Blvd. have set the stage for a new dining experience in Rosslyn. With restaurants like Sip, Rosslyn is becoming a culinary destination for the region.”
“If you ask Rosslyn workers and residents what they want to see in 1501 Wilson, they describe Sip Wine,” said Mary-Claire Burick, President, Rosslyn Business Improvement District. “Monday Properties continues to bring exciting, diverse food and entertainment options to our active urban community.”
Michael Morris of Cana Development represented the Sip Restaurant Group in the lease transaction. Monday Properties was represented by David Dochter, Matthew Alexander and Hugo Gilbert of Cushman & Wakefield.
At Sip – it’s all about the Share!
“Guests go to restaurants to share great experiences,” said Foster Smith, partner, Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant. “At Sip, our ‘small’ plates are meant for sharing and guests are encouraged to try several different dishes, paired with several wines to create their perfect experience. Guests will be greeted by a knowledgeable staff- who can suggest the best way to enjoy wines with items on our unique tapas menu. We are anxious to share our brand with the Washington, DC market, and encourage everyone to raise a glass to our new restaurant.”
Sip Wine Tasting & Tapas Restaurant joins several other recent restaurant openings in Rosslyn, including Caffe Aficionado, an upscale coffee bar in the Waterview Conference Center; Fro.Zen.Yo, a self-service yogurt shop at International Place; Panera Bread in the Rosslyn Metro Mall; and Tom Yum District, next door at Monday Properties’1515 Wilson Boulevard. Other restaurants in the immediate vicinity include Jimmy John’s, Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Capriotti’s.
Disclosure: Monday Properties is an ARLnow.com advertiser