Clarendon

Rabbit Salad and Grill Plans Tuesday Opening

By ARLnow.com

With the crucial Certificate of Occupancy finally in hand, Rabbit Salad and Grill (3035 Clarendon Blvd) is preparing to open to the public on Tuesday.

The eatery, one block from the Clarendon Metro station, will feature chef-crafted salads, sandwiches, hot plates and Red Velvet cupcakes. When its liquor license goes through, Rabbit will also serve wine by the glass and $4.50 draft beers.

Owner Aaron Gordon says he’s planning a soft opening on Tuesday, preceded by a Bisnow-sponsored event on Monday. The restaurant’s normal hours will be 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

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American Tap Room Coming Soon to Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Construction on Reston-based American Tap Room’s new Clarendon outpost is coming along.

The restaurant’s red facade, facing N. Highland Street, looks to be nearly complete, while interior construction is well-underway. A small red fence surrounds an outdoor patio on the north side of the future watering hole. Employees in Reston tell us that they’re pushing for a late-August or early-September opening date.

The “upscale comfort casual dining” restaurant, located across from the Clarendon Metro station at 3101 Wilson Boulevard, is replacing the shuttered Sette Bello Italian restaurant.

New Restaurant Coming to Former American Flatbread Space

By ARLnow.com

A new American gastropub called The Green Pig Bistro is coming to the former American Flatbread space in Clarendon.

Located at 1025 N. Fillmore Street, the restaurant is off the main Clarendon drag and will be limited in terms of outdoor seating, but chef/owner M. Scot Harlan says he’s confident he’ll be able to draw in customers with quality food.

Describing the planned cuisine as “sustainable American comfort food with high-quality ingredients and reasonable prices,” Harlan says he’s investing in the food, not the marketing.

“I’m trying to put all my extra money in ingredients and staff, and not put it into things like marketing, glassware and advertising,” he said. Harlan, a fourth-generation Arlingtonian, has spent the past 10 years working in restaurants, from Bouchon in Las Vegas to 2941 in Falls Church and Inox Restaurant in Tysons Corner.

Residents of the Zoso Flats apartment building, above the restaurant, were notified yesterday about the restaurant’s planned construction, which is expected to begin next week. Harlan says the Green Pig will likely open in either November or January.

Hat tips to anonymous and Nicole & Dan O.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Lime Fresh Signs Clarendon Lease — Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, from the company that brought you Ruby Tuesday, is officially coming to Clarendon. The restaurant is opening one of the first locations outside of Florida in the Clarendon Market Common storefront once occupied by Comfort One Shoes. [Washington Business Journal, Clarendon Culture]

Same-Sex Couples in Arlington — According to the latest U.S. Census numbers, Arlington is home to about 6 percent of Virginia’s same-sex households. There are 1,165 same-sex partner households in Arlington — 835 male and 333 female. The number of same-sex male households has grown 3 percent since 2000, while the number of same-sex female households has grown 16 percent. [Associated Press]

Revamped Playground for Ft. Myer Heights — Kids in Ft. Myer Heights will be getting a renovated playground at Ft. Myer Heights Park. A public meeting is planned next month to discuss the planned renovations. [Ode Street Tribune]

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Persistent Animal Cracker Sellers Draw Questions

By ARLnow.com

They don’t exactly look like hardened criminals, but some are questioning the persistence of groups of kids who have been selling animal crackers along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.

A young animal cracker seller near Market Common Clarendon prompted a citizen to call police this afternoon – apparently out of concern for the child’s welfare – and others, in Rosslyn, prompted a post in our forums.

“For the past few weeks in Rosslyn, I keep seeing kids approaching people on the street and at the outdoor spaces of Cosi/Starbucks, etc. asking them to buy animal cookies for some charity,” the poster wrote. “This seemed suspicious to me as A. there are never any kids in Rosslyn and B. they seem to be cornering people.”

No word on which charity the kids may or may not be working on behalf of.

Photo via Wikipedia

South Block Smoothie & Burrito Co. Plans Wed. Opening

By ARLnow.com

Update at 4:30 p.m. — South Block just said via Twitter that due to a “slight snag” with the county’s zoning office, it may not open on Wednesday, after all. The Friday giveaways, however, are still on for now.

South Block Smoothie & Burrito Co. (3011 11th Street N.), a new health-oriented eatery in Clarendon, is planning to serve its first customers tomorrow afternoon.

Ladders and power tools still clutter the inside of the store, but work is expected to wrap up in anticipation of tomorrow’s hoped-for 3:00 p.m. opening. South Block offers a variety of fruit smooties, Acai bowls, “wholesome” burritos, soups, as well as other healthy fare like wheatgrass juice, oatmeal and yogurt (Greek or frozen).

South Block will have a more formal introduction to the Clarendon community on Friday, when it gives away free smoothies to the first 200 people in line at 3:00 p.m. Coconut water manufacturer Vita Coco will also be on hand on Friday, offering free samples, according to store management.

As reported in May, the store is owned by Amir Mostafavi, who owns the Campus Fresh store in George Washington University’s Lerner Health & Wellness Center.

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Pete’s To Begin Segway Pizza Delivery Tomorrow

By ARLnow.com

Pete’s New Haven Apizza will begin its delivery service tomorrow.

As we reported last month, the restaurant will deliver pizzas via mopeds, cars and, for addresses within a mile of Pete’s Clarendon location, via Segway. Pete’s co-owner Joel Mehr called the restaurant’s custom-modified Segway “an extremely efficient way to deliver to urban residents.

At least at first, delivery will only be available in the evening, from 5:00 p.m. to close.

Pete’s opened nearly four months ago at 3017 Clarendon Boulevard. The restaurant’s phone number is 703.527.PETE.

Pinkberry Sets Opening Date for Clarendon Location

By ARLnow.com

Clarendon’s new Pinkberry frozen yogurt store will be opening on August 5, the company announced last night.

The store will have the address of 1220 N. Filmore Street, but will face Clarendon Boulevard, next to the new Cava restaurant. This will be the third D.C. area location for the California-based company, which claims to have started the national frozen yogurt craze.

In a press release, the company said the Clarendon store will offer “only the highest quality ingredients.”

The Clarendon location will be serving six distinctive Pinkberry flavors: the signature Original flavor, a sweet and tangy yogurt with a refreshing finish; a rich, indulgent Chocolate; Mango, a fruity and light flavor made with authentic Alphonso mango puree; Pomegranate, a bold and tangy flavor made with 100 percent California-grown pure pomegranate juice; Watermelon, a crisp and refreshing summertime favorite and Salted Caramel, a featured flavor that is the perfect blend of salty and sweet.

Pinkberry customers can personalize every yogurt experience with dozens of combination of toppings like Grade-A fresh fruit that is hand-cut daily in-store, organic gummy bears with no high fructose corn syrup, all natural honey almond granola, 100% pure Pomegranate juice, or rich, premium Belgian chocolate shavings.

In addition to frozen yogurt and toppings for immediate consumption, Pinkberry also offers Pinkberry Take Home, 25 ounces of Pinkberry, swirled-to-order and packed on ice to ensure your Swirly Goodness will get home safely to your freezer. Pinkberry also offers Fruit Parfaits, Smoothies, and Fresh Fruit Bowls as fresh, satisfying choices for any time of day.

Pinkberry will compete with an existing Red Mango frozen yogurt store down the street. Pinkberry will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until midnight. It will stay open until 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Monday Hopes to Enliven Rosslyn’s Restaurant Scene — Building owner Monday Properties is hoping to bring in some new restaurants to the Rosslyn area and shake off the “stigma” that there’s no nighttime foot traffic in the office-oriented neighborhood. The company just signed two new restaurants — Roti Mediterranean Grill at 1501 Wilson Blvd and Ahra Cafe & Sandwich Bar at 1100 Wilson Blvd. It’s hoping to find more restaurant tenants for its 1501 Wilson property. Ahra Cafe, meanwhile, is replacing three existing businesses, including a beloved coffee shop. [Washington Business Journal]

Stamos Handily Wins Fundraising Crown in Prosecutor Race — Theo Stamos has a nearly 30-to-1 cash advantage over David Deane in the Democratic primary for Commonwealth’s Attorney in Arlington. [Sun Gazette]

Sauca Now Serves Beer, Liquor — Sauca Restaurant (4707 Columbia Pike) has obtained its liquor license and is now serving a selection of beer and fruity cocktails. [Pike Wire]

Best Cellars in Clarendon Closes — Best Cellars in Clarendon opened its doors to customers for the last time yesterday. The wine store closed after being unable to reach new terms for a long-term lease renewal with its landlord, ARLnow.com is told. However, in the store’s window was a more humorous list of explanations for the closing. [Clarendon Culture]

NYC’s Danny Ross Playing Iota Club on Sunday

By ARLnow.com

New York-based congressional staffer by day, singer-songwriter-pianist by night, Danny Ross will be making his Washington-area debut Sunday night at Iota Club in Clarendon.

Ross, a staffer in the Manhattan District Office of Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), has played South by Southwest, the CMJ Music Fest and NYC’s Mercury Lounge, among other major venues, but he has yet to play the city that’s the focal point of his day job.

Ross cites Wilco, the Beatles and Ryan Adams as influence, and his eclectic, often ballad-y music has also garnered some comparisons to Ben Folds. He will perform with his 9-piece band and horns at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Iota Club (2832 Wilson Blvd).

Dr. Dremo’s Still Raising Money for Possible Clarendon Location

By ARLnow.com

Andrew Stewart, owner of the late, lamented Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse, is still raising money for a possible new Dremo’s location in Clarendon.

Stewart tells ARLnow.com that he has raised about $175,000 of the $400,000 to $500,000 he needs to bring the watering hole back to life. Having already sold interest-bearing investments, Stewart is now selling ownership shares in the new bar.

Stewart says that he has negotiated a purchase price for an existing business in Clarendon, and now just must raise enough money to get the new Dremo’s off the ground and running.

In June, the Washington Business Journal first reported that Stewart was eying a 6,000 square foot space somewhere in Clarendon. Stewart says he’s not going to reveal the exact location until he signs a lease.

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