new restaurant

Morning Poll: New Clarendon Businesses

By ARLnow.com

By the end of the week, at least 10 new eateries will have opened in Clarendon since February.

Pinkberry will open its doors on Friday, joining other new food destinations including Burapa Thai, Circa, South Block Smoothie & Burrito, Rabbit, Pete’s Apizza, Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream, BGR: The Burger Joint, Cava and Mad Rose Tavern.

We’ve remarked on Twitter that the new restaurants seem to be doing boffo business at night, especially the businesses in the new Clarendon Center buildings. We’re wondering if they’re merely taking business from older restaurants in the area, or if they’re driving business by making people more likely to go out in Clarendon.


Pedro & Vinny’s Opens on the Pike, Plans Crystal City Burrito Cart

By ARLnow.com

A legendary D.C. food cart is expanding its brand to South Arlington.

Over the weekend, Pedro & Vinny’s opened in the tiny (repainted, non-mobile) building that once housed Santa Ana Restaurant on Columbia Pike, in the parking lot between the CVS Pharmacy and the new Penrose Square apartments.

Pedro & Vinny’s Pike outpost is not owned by cart proprietor John Rider. Rather, it’s the first Pedro & Vinny’s franchise, owned and operated by the owner of the former Santa Ana Restaurant.

Regardless, many of the elements that led Zagat to declare Pedro & Vinny’s 15th and K Street cart “one of the ‘best cheap lunches Downtown'” — including fresh ingredients and signature sauces — can now be found on the Pike. Just don’t expect much beyond the raved-about food. The (outdoor) dining area, which sits in a parking lot with views of a cement wall and of the CVS parking lot, is as no-frills as the Pedro & Vinny’s web site.

Rider’s daughter, Kristen, who once ran a second Pedro & Vinny’s cart at 19th and L Street, is helping to get the old Santa Ana crew up to speed on her family’s way of doing things. She expects to be on board long enough to see the location’s grand opening, which should take place in 2-3 weeks. Then, Kristen will work to get the second cart up and running in a new location: Crystal City.

Rider expects the Crystal City cart to be serving customers at some point this fall. She said that she’s excited to be doing business in Arlington, since it was “red tape” in the District that prompted her to shut down the cart last fall.

The restaurant, at 2599 Columbia Pike, plans to stay open until 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and 3:00 a.m. on weekends. More photos after the jump.

Hat tips to Jordan H. and Rebecca K.

(more…)

Morning Notes

By Katie Pyzyk

Hot Diggity Dog — In honor of National Chili Dog Day, Hard Times Cafe is giving away a free chili dog to everyone with every purchase from opening until closing. Yes, simply buying a soda counts as a purchase.

Rabbit Food — Salad and sandwich restaurant Rabbit holds its grand opening in Clarendon today.  After filling up on your free chili dog, stop by 3035 Clarendon Blvd for a free cupcake from 4-8pm.  One per person.

What Next? — First planking took the internet by storm, then owling.  Now, apparently all the cool kids are batting. And of course, some guys in Arlington claim to have started it. [WTOP]

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.

1/6

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.

Good Stuff Eatery Coming to Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

The tipster who in March spotted Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn chatting up the manager of the Chick-fil-A in Crystal City was apparently on to something.

Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Bites Blog reports that Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery is expanding to Crystal City. The burger joint will be located in the middle of the Crystal Drive restaurant row and will include a special “milkshake station” where “customers can watch the custard-spinning process up close.”

The restaurant is aiming for a January opening.

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

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.

1/6

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]

View More Stories