new restaurant

New Ethiopian cafe on the Pike to hold grand opening this weekend

By Mavis Chan
The interior of Meda Coffee & Kitchen (courtesy of Meda Coffee & Kitchen)

Ethiopian cafe Meda Coffee & Kitchen has opened on Columbia Pike.

Visitors to the new restaurant, at 5037 Columbia Pike, can dine on traditional Ethiopian fare during its grand opening weekend, set to begin this Friday (July 15).

The cafe, which opened late last month, is open every day at 9 a.m., serving coffee, tea and espresso drinks, in addition to specialty food and baked goods.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m., during which several guests are set to speak. The cafe plans to play music and serve the traditional Ethiopian dish kitfo, a signature offering of the cafe that is made with beef, chili powder and sometimes with cottage cheese and collard green. It will also serve a vegetarian option.

During the event, owner Yohannes Getachew said he plans to serve the dish in a cone made of banana leaves, a way of serving typically for holidays like Meskel, a Christian holiday that is usually celebrated in late September in Ethiopia.

A flyer advertising the grand opening (courtesy of Meda Coffee & Kitchen)

The Columbia Pike Partnership helped set up the ribbon cutting ceremony, invite guest speakers and promote the event, Getachew said.

The cafe is the second Ethiopian restaurant Getachew has run. He used to co-own a similar restaurant in Alexandria, ZeMeda Market and Restaurant.

He chose Arlington as the new location for his cafe because of his familiarity with the place.

“I know Arlington, I used to work here,” Getachew said, adding he loves the environment and the people in the county.

The Pike has several new restaurants and gathering spots on the way, including a new empanada restaurant and “Nightbird Restaurant and Lounge” in the former P. Brennan’s Irish Pub space.

New empanada restaurant coming to Columbia Pike

By Mavis Chan
A new empanada restaurant appears to be coming to Columbia Pike (courtesy of FrenchyB)

An empanada eatery appears to be setting up shop on Columbia Pike.

The location at 2602-B Columbia Pike, next to the Domino’s and a laundromat, has a sign with the name Mpanadas.

As of late last week the windows were covered and a sign advertising the space as available for lease was in a heap on the ground nearby.

Although it is unclear who the business owner is, a permit application for 2602 Columbia Pike was submitted in June for a tenant buildout, according to the county’s permit search website.

The storefront used to house Boost Mobile, which has moved to 4103 Columbia Pike.

“It would appear that the space formerly occupied by a cell service store is being converted to a restaurant/carryout under the name Mpanada, which one would assume will be a Peruvian restaurant specializing in empanadas,” Amy McWilliams, deputy director of local business booster and community group Columbia Pike Partnership, tells ARLnow.

The retail manager for the storefront is KLNB, a real estate firm managing properties in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The store is 724 square feet in size, according to a KLNB leasing brochure. Representatives from KLNB did not have further information on the business.

Hat tip to “FrenchyB”

Psycho Bunny and several new restaurants are coming to Pentagon City mall

By Matt Blitz
1/3

Psycho Bunny is bounding its way to the Pentagon City mall, along with restaurants Soul Wingz, Maizal, and Rosa Mexicano.

The menswear store Psycho Bunny is looking to open inside of Fashion Centre at Pentagon City next month, on August 1, according to the mall’s website. It’s located on the first level, above the food court, and next to the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The bunny brand is multiplying, with 49 stores nationwide expected to be open by the end of the year.

“Over the years, the brand has developed a cult following for men who don’t have to sacrifice irreverence for style,” the Pentagon City’s website says. “Psycho Bunny is about contradictions; it is mischievous, yet refined; timeless, yet contemporary.”

Additionally, local brand Soul Wingz is planning to open early next month in the mall. It’s set to be located next to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and near the entrance to the Metro.

Soul Wingz began as a D.C. area food truck in 2008, according to its website. The restaurant also appears to have a location near Howard University in D.C.

The website describes the cuisine as soul food, with a menu that includes wings, fried fish, smothered pork chops, and hush puppies.

Maizal, a Latin American street food stand, is also opening at the Pentagon City mall. The aim is to open in September, notes the mall’s website. This will be the restaurant’s second Arlington location, the other being at Ballston Quarter. There appear to be also locations coming to Reagan National Airport and to Reston, according to the restaurant’s website.

The fast-casual spot specializes in create-your-own bowls and arepas (stuffed corn cakes), and also offers burritos, empanadas, plantains and tacos.

Rosa Mexicano is planning to open in September as well, moving into the 5,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Sugar Shack. That location has an outside entrance facing S. Hayes Street.

The mall has had other opening recently. Rihanna’s lingerie brand Savage x Fenty, along with SneakerMat and Custom World, opened at the mall earlier this year.

Sushi spot Kusshi now open in Pentagon City

By Matt Blitz
Kusshi at Westpost in Pentagon City (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Kusshi is now serving sushi in Pentagon City.

The Bethesda-based Japanese restaurant finally opened its doors last week at Westpost, next to Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream. Employees tell ARLnow that Kusshi is in the midst of its soft opening with a “grand opening” set for later this month.

The sushi and sake spot was first announced more than a year ago, filling the space once occupied by Namaste Everest. It was initially supposed to open late last year, then spring, before ultimately opening in late June.

Co-owner Tony Chow told ARLnow that the delays were associated with fairly typical stuff, including supply chain issues, materials, and permitting.

This is Kusshi’s second location. Ownership decided to open at 1201 S. Joyce Street due to the same developer — Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) — owning both Westpost and Bethesda’s Pike & Rose, where the restaurant opened its first location in 2018.

Its proximity to Amazon HQ2, only about a mile away, was also a major reason for moving into the shopping center, Chow told ARLnow earlier this year.

The menu is similar to the Bethesda location’s offerings, including sushi, sashimi, ramen, katsu, and sake. The restaurant also offers omakase, a formal meal left to the chef’s choice. There’s currently only indoor seating, but outdoor seating is part of the plan as well.

Westpost has had a myriad of openings recently, all part of a significant makeover over the past two years. In late 2020, the development’s name changed from Pentagon Row to Westpost. Since, buzzy restaurants like Lucky Danger, Cathal Armstrong’s Mattie and Eddie’s, and Nighthawk Pizza have all opened.

Just in the past few months, Baltimore-based Banditos Bar & Kitchen and Target have opened their doors as well.

Chopt set to open next week in Ballston

By ARLnow.com
Signs for a new Chopt location in Ballston (staff photo)

Salad purveyor Chopt is planning to open its new “eco-conscious” location in Ballston next week.

The chain said in a press release this morning that its shop at 4201 Wilson Blvd, in the Ballston Exchange complex across from Ballston Quarter, will officially open on Wednesday, July 13. We first reported on the new location, which is next to a Shake Shack, in November.

More from an ARLnow article last month:

It will feature “a more eco-friendly means of operating… the first of its kind for the brand, designed explicitly to have a reduced environmental impression,” according to a press release.

The eatery will also emphasize contactless ordering, much like its burger-oriented neighbor, with self-service kiosks and QR codes for ordering at the tables.

“At 1,912 sq ft, Ballston seats 16 guests total, 10 at the bar with views of the salad making station and 6 in a large booth,” said the release. “The storefront will be the first Chopt to go to complete contactless ordering with a variety of advanced ways to order its creative salads, wraps and warm bowls, including self-service kiosks and new QR code tableside ordering and delivery.”

Chopt will compete fellow salad chain Sweetgreen — located two blocks away, along Wilson Blvd — for the patronage of Ballston’s office and apartment dwellers.

In addition to a number of locations in the District, Chopt has existing locations in Rosslyn and McLean.

The new Chopt also plans to open for online and app orders on Tuesday, July 12 as part of a fundraiser for local nonprofit Real Food for Kids.

The press release about the opening is below.

Chopt Creative Salad Company, the NYC-founded fast-casual salad brand, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new sustainability-focused and contact-free store model in the Arlington area at 4201 Wilson Blvd Suite 0185, on the bottom floor of the Ballston Exchange, on Wednesday, July 13.

As is tradition, Chopt celebrates Chopt Gives Day prior to opening, where proceeds benefit a local nonprofit partner. For this Ballston opening, Chopt will partner with Real Food for Kids, the 501(c)(3) organization that advocates for positive change in school food policies and generates institutionalized support to reinforce its goal of highlighting healthy school food as a critical component of children’s wellness and academic success. To participate in the give back, guests are invited to order online or through the Chopt app on July 12 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and 100% of sales from Chopt Gives Day will be donated to Real Food for Kids.

“Real Food for Kids and Chopt’s missions to support healthy eating habits align perfectly,” said Bonnie Moore, Real Food for Kids Executive Director. “We are honored to be selected as the Chopt Gives partner for their new restaurant opening in Arlington and excited that Chopt will bring access to more delicious, healthy options to the community.”

The Ballston restaurant features new QR code tableside ordering as well as self-serve kiosks, making this the first Chopt to offer guests a completely contactless experience. The latest ordering technology makes in-store pickup and delivery easy, quick and convenient for guests to “chop” the line.

“The model of this restaurant is a demonstration of our continued efforts to reduce our environmental impact by lowering our overall energy consumption, and potentially GHG emissions, with streamlined operations, a smaller spatial footprint, and energy efficient kitchen ware and HVAC system,” said Dennis Lee, VP of Development at Founders Table. “We hope that folks enjoy the outcome: an efficient and more sustainable restaurant experience.”

Chopt is open for regular hours Monday – Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Bar Ivy opens in Clarendon, with grand opening planned later this month

By ARLnow.com
1/8

New “West Coast-inspired” Clarendon watering hole Bar Ivy has started serving as part of its soft opening, ahead of a planned grand opening celebration.

We’re told that the soft opening — with a limited menu, limited seatings and limited hours — started on Friday. The grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29.

Located at 3033 Wilson Blvd, a block from the Metro station, Bar Ivy has both Instagrammable indoor seating areas and a large, 125-seat “outdoor garden plaza” featuring a “casual walk-up kiosk” that will serve coffee and pastries in the morning.

“Bar Ivy combines the cool, relaxed vibe of the West Coast with a Mid Atlantic approach to ingredients, shining the spotlight on seafood and vegetables, vibrant cocktails and low-intervention wines,” said a press release announcing the opening. “Guests will find an elegant but laid-back atmosphere with subtle influences from the opposite coast, with attractive al fresco dining, an open, airy interior, and a casual Kiosk serving morning coffee and breakfast.”

The full press release is below.

(more…)

Spicy chicken sandwich purveyor Hot Lola’s planning a late June opening in Rosslyn

By Matt Blitz
1/2

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) Rosslyn is about to get a bit more spicy with the opening of Hot Lola’s later this month.

The spicy chicken sandwich shop finally has a tentative opening date for its second Arlington location, with ownership now aiming for a soft opening on June 17, general manager Alan Vo tells ARLnow. Since they’ll still be training staff until June 21, everyone who walks in for an order during that time will get 30% off.

Hot Lola’s will be occupying 1501 Wilson Blvd at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Oak Street, sandwiched between Taco Rock and Miracles Salon. It’s the former location of Mediterranean fast casual eatery Roti, which closed in late 2021 after a decade in business there.

We first reported in February that Hot Lola’s was expanding into Rosslyn. The restaurant’s first location at the food hall inside Ballston Quarter mall opened three years ago.

The eatery from noted D.C. area chef Kevin Tien has received a number of accolades for its Sichuan-spiced, Nashville-inspired hot chicken sandwich. The eatery also sells wings, tenders, and fries.

The menus at the two locations will be similar, at least initially. Vo says they’ll introduce breakfast and “special sandwiches” at a later date at the Rosslyn location.

There will also be another difference.  The Rosslyn location has applied for a Virginia ABC license to serve beer, wine, and mixed beverages, while the Ballston location does not sell alcohol.

Hot Lola’s isn the only new eatery that has or will be coming to Rosslyn. Japanese restaurant Yuraku opened last month in a somewhat-obscured space while boutique market, while cafe and high-end convenience store Foxtrot is aiming for the fall.

Papa John’s relocated across the Pike, leaving customers confused

By Matt Blitz
Papa John’s Pizza has relocated to S. Glebe Road (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

The relocation of Papa John’s Pizza on Columbia Pike has left hungry customers confused.

Last month, a new Papa John’s location opened just off the Pike at 1014 S. Glebe Road. It moved into the former home of the donut shop Sugar Shack, the closing of which left a proverbial hole in the center of some local residents’ hearts.

The pizza shop essentially relocated from the now-demolished Westmont Shopping Center, which is in the midst of a major redevelopment. The Papa John’s there closed last summer and it took about a year for it to reopen across the street.

However, Papa John’s website still lists the old address — 3233A Columbia Pike — as the location of the shop. That address currently does not exist and is now a construction site.

This has left a number of customers confused about where to go to pick up their pizza, says general manager Alex Reyes. While the phone number is accurate on the website, the address is not and Reyes says he gets lots of calls from customers baffled about where to find their food.

What’s more, he says business has been unusually slow at times, likely a result of potential customers thinking that it’s closed.

Reyes has contacted Papa John’s corporate asking them to update the website with the correct address and has been told they are working on the problem.

ARLnow has reached out to Papa John’s as well but has yet to hear back as of publication.

With a couple of shopping centers on Columbia Pike undergoing redevelopment, a number of businesses have closed recently, including Atilla’s Restaurant, which had been on the Pike for nearly five decades, H&R Block, and Mom’s Pizza. Atilla’s, like Papa John’s, is on the hunt for a new space, we previously reported.

Crumbl Cookies appears to be coming to the Lee Harrison Shopping Center

By Mavis Chan
1/2

(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) A Crumbl Cookies location is expected to open at Lee Harrison Shopping Center.

A poster from leasing company A.J. Dwoskin & Associates that states Crumbl Cookies is “coming soon” has been seen on a window at the shopping center, next to the Wild Birds Unlimited store. The cookie bakery also appears on a published retail leasing plan for the shopping center at the corner of Langston Blvd and N. Harrison Street.

“I think it’s exciting, I think a lot of kids are going to be happy they can get some cookies,” Harrison Drier, commercial operations manager at A.J. Dwoskin, told ARLnow about the shop.

Founded in Utah in 2017, Crumbl has since expanded to more than 370 franchised bakeries in 40+ states, according to a press release. It claims to offer “the world’s best chocolate chip cookie” and has a rotating weekly menu of specialty cookies including options like Buttermilk Pancake, Orange Creamsicle, Lemon Blackberry and Iced Oatmeal.

Crumbl also offers drinks and several flavors of ice cream. Its offerings are available via delivery, pickup, catering and national shipping services.

A Crumbl Cookies spokesperson could only say that the Lee-Harrison store “is in the very early stages” and details would not be available until later this summer. The spokesperson noted that there is another location planned nearby in Falls Church.

Drier said the cookie store is likely to open “more towards November, December” this year.

“They haven’t gotten keys to the space yet,” he said.

Crumbl appears to be replacing the urgent care clinic, which has since moved to a larger space in a recently-built structure on the shopping center’s property.

Other Crumbl Cookies locations in Northern Virginia include Reston, Chantilly and Vienna, according to the company’s website.

Hat tip to @HawkeyeKevin 

The nightlife power couple behind B Live talk about their burgeoning Clarendon empire

By Matt Blitz
1/6

When B Live in Clarendon opened to the public earlier this month, it was a big moment for local restaurateurs Christal and Mike Bramson.

The live music venue and restaurant is not the only venture that the married team has in Arlington. They also own several other well-known Clarendon concepts, including The Lot, Clarendon Pop-Up Bar, and Pamplona on Clarendon Blvd, plus they are planning to open a new tropical-themed bar on the roof above B Live, at 2854 Wilson Blvd, later this summer.

But B Live is perhaps the Bramsons’ most ambitious project yet, particularly with the added element that it moved into the former home of iconic watering hole Whitlow’s on Wilson.

ARLnow spoke with the couple about B Live’s debut, “tropical glam,” and the future of their other popular pop-ups. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

ARLnow: B Live has been open to the public for about two weeks now. How has been it going? What has surprised you? What challenges have you all encountered so far? 

Christal Bramson (CB): I think the initial thing that has struck us is that with very limited amounts of press and media, the community was clearly ready for us to open. There’s been an outpouring of support, which we embrace and love, but not necessarily ready yet for lines wrapped around the block.

Is there any pressure opening in the former home of such an iconic Arlington spot? 

Mike Bramson (MB): We definitely felt the pressure going in… we have big shoes to fill. We spent a lot of time on the design and really put a lot of our heart and soul into it.

CB: Obviously, Whitlow’s is an iconic place in Arlington and just want to do credit to the historic corner we are occupying.

MB: I knew the space really well, so we kind of had an idea of what we wanted to do with it. We completely changed the look of the inside, but still kept what people knew most about [Whitlow’s], which was the music and the brunch. We did add a few elements that really made it our own. So far, people’s reactions have been amazing.

What was the thought behind opening another live music venue in Clarendon? 

MB: Clarendon, historically, has had several live music venues and we saw a few of them fall away, either right before the pandemic and, then, right afterwards. The only remaining live music venue was the Renegade. They do a fantastic job and that’s a great venue, but we felt that historically there was always more than just one live music venue… there should be more than one option for live music as most towns and cities have.

(more…)

Rosa Mexicano is coming to Pentagon City

By Matt Blitz
Rosa Mexicano is looking to open in the former home of Sugar Factory on S. Hayes Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new casual Mexican restaurant is looking to start serving later this year at the Pentagon City mall.

Rosa Mexicano is aiming for a September 1 opening, according to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City website. It’s moving into the 5,500-square-foot former Sugar Factory space, which has an outside entrance facing S. Hayes Street.

Sugar Factory closed last year.

New York-based Rosa Mexicano has eight other locations currently open, including one at National Harbor in Maryland. Locals also might remember a previous location in D.C. across the street from Capital One Arena. That one closed last summer after 16 years.

“Given the popularity of the brand in the D.C. market, Fashion Centre felt like it was an ideal upgrade over Sugar Factory, which previously occupied the space,” Todd Jerscheid, Director of Mall Marketing and Business Development at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, tells ARLnow via email.

The decor will feature “the restaurant’s new prototype,” seen at recently-opened locations in Philadelphia and Boston, writes Jerscheid. The menu is also being “revamped,”  though the restaurant is known for its guacamole prepared tables side. Rosa Mexicano also serves tacos, ceviche, enchiladas, and parrilladas (Mexican-style mixed grill).

The first Rosa Mexicano opened in New York City in 1984.

The Pentagon City mall has seen several retail bays turnover recently. Rihanna’s lingerie brand Savage x Fenty opened at the mall earlier this spring. The shoe restoration business SneakerMat and a customized hoodie and t-shirt retailer both opened over the past few months. In September, a cereal restaurant several other retailers began operations.

Hat tip to @rdc20132

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