Pupatella in South Arlington (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The wood-burning oven at Pupatella (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Pupatella in South Arlington (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Pupatella in South Arlington (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Pupatella in South Arlington (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Pupatella in South Arlington (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Three years after announcing its plans to expand, award-winning local pizza restaurant Pupatella has officially opened its second area location.
Pupatella opened its South Arlington location earlier this week at 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, where it serves a variety of Neapolitan pizzas, gelatos, drinks, and more.
Originally founded as a food truck, Pupatella opened its original brick-and-mortar location at 5104 Wilson Blvd in 2010.
Co-owner Enzo Algarme is now teaming up with the partners behind Elevation Burger to expand via franchising. Pupatella currently has two additional locations outside of Arlington, in Richmond and Glen Allen, Virginia.
There are a few additional Pupatella locations in store for the D.C. area, including a 2,700 square-foot venture in Reston and another in the Mosaic District.
Rendering of new concourse under construction at Reagan National Airport (via MWAA)
Rendering of new concourse under construction at Reagan National Airport (via MWAA)
A half dozen restaurants will be opening in the new 14-gate concourse currently under construction at Reagan National Airport.
The new eateries that will open to travelers in the replacement for DCA’s infamous “Gate 35X” include four local companies — Elevation Burger, Timber Pizza, Founding Farmers and Mezeh — as well as two national chains: Peet’s Coffee and P.F. Chang’s. A WHSmith book store and a Capitol File-branded travel store are also planned.
“More than 14,000 square feet of new food, beverage and retail options will be added to the airport’s wide array of passenger choices when new security checkpoints and a 14-gate concourse open to the public,” the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said of its new tenants in an announcement Wednesday.
The $1 billion “Project Journey” is expected to wrap up in 2021.
An independent coffee shop in Clarendon has shuttered its doors, with plans in the works to rebrand under new ownership.
Blümen Cafe, located roughly between Clarendon and Courthouse at 2607 Wilson Blvd, closed earlier this month. The cafe first opened in 2016, in the former CD Cellar space, and served teas, coffees and pastries, with an international flair.
Reached via the cafe’s original phone number last week, Blümen Cafe owner Andira Jabbar said the cafe would be reopening soon under new ownership, with a new name, menu, and look.
The new owner, contacted by ARLnow, declined to comment on what would be replacing Blümen Cafe. He said that he was “excited” for what’s to come and that he’s looking to open “before the new year.”
Salt/Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The bar at Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Open Road features original artwork, including a painting of Washington National Ryan Zimmerman (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The dining space at Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The bar Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Interior view of Salt cocktail lounge on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Interior view of Salt cocktail lounge on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Salt/Open Road on N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A new watering hole for Rosslyn office-dwellers and residents is planning to open next week.
Open Road and Salt will both open on Tuesday at 1201 Wilson Blvd in Central Place Plaza, according to owner Metropolitan Hospitality Group.
Open Road is an award-winning bar and grill that is expanding to a second location, from its original Merrifield spot. Salt is described as “a hidden and cozy cocktail bar featuring an array of classic and seasonal cocktails” — “an entirely new concept” from the company.
The decor at Open Road will be Americana “inspired by music and the great outdoors.”
“Reclaimed wood, an American flag mural, a suspended Harley Davidson Fatboy motorcycle, and paintings of Marilyn Monroe and Bruce Springsteen from local artist Jack Labadie adorn the space,” the company said in a press release.
Open Road will seat 16 at the bar, 66 in the dining room and 54 on a seasonal, outdoor patio, while Salt, on the bottom floor, will be a more intimate venue.
The head of the Rosslyn Business Improvement District said the new drinking and dining establishments will serve visitors as well as locals.
“Rosslyn has a population of foodies who have been craving cocktail bars like Salt and award-winning gathering places like Open Road,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of Rosslyn BID. “We’ve been seeing an uptick in people staying in Rosslyn after work and visiting on the weekends, so now they’ll have even more opportunities to enjoy our neighborhood.”
A space-themed pizza shop and deli in Crystal City plans to take off into a bigger space down the block.
Bozzelli’s, an “intergalactic” deli serving pizza and sandwiches, first opened at 2600 Crystal Drive in 2010. Nearly a decade later, the restaurant is moving to the opposite corner of the street where it will have room for an expansive dining room and bar.
“Honestly, we outgrew our shoebox of a store from day one. We never had room for more than three tabletops and six seats so our customers could never bank on getting a table,” said co-owner Mike Bozzelli.
Bozzelli also commented on the incoming arrival of Amazon’s new headquarters, noting it “factored into our decision making.”
“We welcome the advent of HQ2 and are extremely grateful for the community,” he said.
Bozzelli’s has four locations, including one in Springfield and another in D.C. Its menu features whole pizzas, including the “Mic Mac” topped with macaroni, mozzarella, cheddar, and peppers — along with sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
One of Arlington’s most successful restaurants will open its second location very soon.
The Neapolitan pizzeria Pupatella, which opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Bluemont in 2010, is expected to open at 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive next week.
“This week is training,” manager Anastasiya Laufenberg told ARLnow. “We should be opening next week. The community support has been great.”
Hopefully the new location will have better luck than past businesses at that address. A string of restaurants there who quickly shuttered after opening have given the Walter Reed corner the reputation as Arlington’s restaurant “Bermuda Triangle.”
Pupatella currently has two additional locations outside of Arlington, in Richmond and Glen Allen, Virginia.
Heading into 2020, Pupatella has also announced plans to eventually open a 2,700 square foot location at 1821 Wiehle Avenue in Reston as part of a new expansion push fueled by a $3.75 million investment.
Earlier this week, the restaurant introduced two “Pizza Lovers” wines, a red Merlot/Cabernet blend and a white Pinot Grigio-Chardonnay blend, to pair with its pies.
Happy Endings Eatery in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Happy Endings Eatery in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Happy Endings Eatery in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Order by touchscreen at Happy Endings Eatery (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Dining space inside Happy Endings Eatery in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Dining space inside Happy Endings Eatery in Rosslyn (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
(Updated at 1:45 p.m.) The latest addition to Rosslyn’s food scene is now open.
Happy Endings Eatery, an Asian food hall with a Vietnamese focus, opened last week in Rosslyn’s Central Place complex (1800 N. Lynn Street). The two-level, 5,000-square-foot space features two counters serving a variety of different cuisine and drinks, including as bubble tea, banh mi sandwiches, pho, and more.
A counter downstairs serves coffee and Teas’n You bubble tea. Upstairs is a larger walk-up counter, touch-screens for food and drink orders, and a back room with lots of indoor plants and cozy seating.
Other options include “Roll Play Grill” for customized wraps and bowls, and “Xin Coffee” for Vietnamese iced coffee. The entire food hall is cash-free and only takes electronic payments, per a sign on the wall.
The food hall is a project of Happy Endings Hospitality, an area restaurant group responsible for local eateries such as Chasin’ Tails in East Falls Church and Lei’d Hawaiian Poke in Tysons Corner.
“As you know, today’s consumer is much more experiential than in the past,” said Happy Endings co-owner Tuyet Nhi Le. “They search out new experiences including authentic cuisines and flavors. Our food is all made from scratch using recipes that have been in my family for four generations. I think people in the area really appreciate the different menu options and flavors that we offer and how fast and efficient our system is, especially when they don’t have a lot of time during lunch!”
The food hall is scheduled to hold its grand opening party on January 25, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, said Nhi Le. Future plans for the eatery include “launching breakfast,” along with opportunities for private events.
“Happy Endings Eatery is family-owned and -operated, which is keeping with the community feel of Rosslyn,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of Rosslyn BID. “With a leadership team that is 50% women and a cuisine that will wake up your senses, there’s no question that this brings wonderful diversity to our lively food scene.”
Happy Endings has faced some criticism for its innuendo-laced brands, but that did not deter the owners from moving forward with the opening.
Happy Endings Eatery is the first of three food halls coming to Rosslyn in a two-block radius.
Coming to the same address as Happy Endings is Common Ground Social Eatery, which has pushed its opening date back three times. Common Ground is now expected to open by the spring or summer of 2020 on the second floor of the Central Place complex, “above the McDonalds overlooking the plaza.”
East West Coffee and Wine, now open in Clarendon (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
East West Coffee and Wine, now open in Clarendon (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
East West Coffee and Wine, now open in Clarendon (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
East West Coffee and Wine, now open in Clarendon (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) A new cafe and bar is now open in Clarendon.
“East West Coffee and Wine” opened last week at 3101 Wilson Blvd, serving tapas, coffee, wine, and more. It joins a bevy of other coffee shops — including chain locations and indie cafes — in the Clarendon area.
According to permits, East West has a seating capacity of up to 65 inside. In warmer months, the restaurant will have seating for up to 34 guests outside.
“I’m excited to see returning customers already, and some people who showed up on Monday and Tuesday were already back on Wednesday,” owner Mehmet Coskun tells ARLnow.
Coffee selections include nitro cold brews, espresso drinks including cortados, and more. Its food menu features small-plate tapas, include muhammara, which Coskun describes as hot pepper dip made from “feta cheese, walnuts, red peppers, and garlic.” The cafe also offers a brunch menu available only on weekend mornings.
It’s the second location for East West. The first location, formerly known as Central Coffee Bar, opened two years ago in Rosslyn (1901 N. Moore Street). It rebranded recently as “East West Coffee and Wine” to match the new location.
Plans are already in the works for a third East West location, which is listed as “Coming Soon” to Tysons.
Starbucks at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center closes
Starbucks at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center closes
Starbucks at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center closes
New Starbucks store at 5515 Lee Highway
Starbucks store at 5515 Lee Highway, in 2019 prior to opening
New Starbucks store at 5515 Lee Highway
The Starbucks store at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center has closed, to make way for a new location down the street.
It was business as usual at the coffeehouse chain’s location at 2441 N. Harrison Street this morning — right up until it closed at 10 a.m. and employees started politely asking customers to leave.
The closure precedes the opening of a new stand-alone Starbucks at 5515 Lee Highway, currently planned for Thursday. That store will have a drive-thru window and its own parking lot, though construction was still well underway this morning.
For Starbucks aficionados who need their Frappuccinos, there’s another location in the Safeway store across the street, at 2500 N. Harrison Street.
Up to three new businesses are set to replace the long-vacant Cardinal Bank building at the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center.
According to the shopping center’s developer A.J. Dwoskin & Associates, the bank’s demolition began earlier this week, and the new building will be “going up as quickly as possible.”
The company is early in its efforts to lease the 4,312 square feet of available space and “[does] not have any signed leases yet.”
“Depending on what deals come our way, we could have up to three new businesses,” said A.J. Dwoskin Marketing Director Lindsay Gilbert.
A county building permit submitted by A.J. Dwoskin at the bank’s current address (5335 Lee Hwy) details the building’s demolition, and adds that “the proposed building will be a 3,476 square foot restaurant space with a maximum of 125 seats.” The company would not comment on the permit or its mention of a restaurant.
Per signage at the construction site, the “retail pad building delivery” is expected in the first three months of 2020, but Gilbert said she does not expect any businesses operating in the spaces until later in the year.
“We’re particularly excited about the demolition, as that always creates a little neighborhood buzz,” Gilbert said.
In addition, the developer is also currently looking to lease two spaces in the lower levels of the busy shopping center, which houses a Harris Teeter store and restaurants like Peter Chang.
Mezeh “Coming Soon” sign in Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Kalina Newman)
Chicken bowl at Mezeh (photo provided by Alberto Zaldana / Mezeh)
A new fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant is opening soon in Ballston Quarter.
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill is expected to open before the new year, according to Director of Marketing Patrick Mika.
“You could say we’ll be a good spot to hit up for those New Years resolutions,” Mika said. The assembly-line style restaurant specializes in bowls featuring fresh ingredients and local produce, such as hummus, caramelized eggplant, and tabbouleh.
The regional chain first announced its Ballston location last year during the initial rollout of new restaurants in Ballston Quarter mall. Once open, it’ll be its eighteenth location — Mezeh currently operates across Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Inspiration for the Ballston location came after finding success at its first Arlington location in Crystal City, said Mika.
“Ever since we opened in 2015, we’ve had great success,” Mika said. “We’re very excited about our new location.”
Mezeh will have some familiar competition in Ballston. Just across Wilson Blvd there is a very similar fast-casual restaurant — Cava.
In 2017, Cava Group Inc. sued Mezeh, claiming its logo and stores unfairly copied one Cava’s intellectual property. Per a press release from Mezeh, one of the accusations was thrown out by a judge and the rest later rejected by a federal jury.
“Mezeh is unique because of our bold flavors, our variety of toppings, and the warm feel in our dining experience,” co-founder Steve Walker said in the release.
