new restaurant

‘Yong Kang Street’ Coming to Pentagon City Mall

By ARLnow.com
1/4

A Taiwanese noodle and dumpling restaurant is coming to the food court level of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

A construction barrier and “coming soon” signs are up outside the storefront, located between Garrett Popcorn and Haagen-Dazs.

Described as a “dumpling and noodle house,” Yong Kang Street has existing locations at a mall in Houston and on the Las Vegas Strip. From the mall’s website:

Yong Kang Street showcases the flavors of Taiwan, Hong Kong and China with a menu that is structured differently than a typical Chinese restaurant. With everything made fresh, it features a variety of Dumplings, a large selection of Noodle Soups, Dry Noodle Dishes, Fried Rice, wok-tossed vegetables, dessert as well as Dim Sum carts.

Just steps away from the future Yong Kang Street, also on the Pentagon City mall’s food court level, a “Mediterranean patisserie” called Al Bohsali recently opened. The kiosk, which offers baklava and other baked goods, has another location at Tysons Corner Center mall.

Signs Up for New ‘Poke Bar’ Restaurant in Rosslyn

By Chris Teale
1/2

Another dedicated poke restaurant is set to open soon in Arlington, this time in Rosslyn.

Signs are up for Poke Bar at 1735 N. Lynn Street, on the first floor of the International Place building and next door to the Potbelly sandwich shop.

It follows Poké it Up, which moved into the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City at the start of this year and was the county’s first dedicated poke restaurant.

The franchise restaurant has locations in nine states, Canada and New Zealand. This would be its first in the D.C. area.

Customers can build their own poke bowl with rice, noodles or vegetables as a base; protein like tuna, salmon, tofu, shrimp and octopus; sauce; vegetables; sides; and toppings.

No word yet on an opening date.

Bread & Water Coming to Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com

Artisan bakery Bread & Water appears to be coming to Pentagon Row.

According to a sign, the bakery and cafe is opening in one of the glass-and-steel kiosk building of Pentagon Row’s central plaza, which was formerly occupied by Capital Teas and sunglasses store Specs.

The bakery has an existing bricks-and-mortar location in the Belle View section of Fairfax County, south of Alexandria. It also is a regular fixture at local farmers markets, including Crystal City, Ballston and Columbia Pike.

Bread & Water’s menu includes freshly-baked breads, breakfast items, salads, soups, sandwiches, pastries and desserts.

No word yet on an opening date.

‘Cajun Seafood and Sushi Lounge’ Coming to Clarendon

By Fatimah Waseem

Asiatique, a new “Cajun seafood and sushi lounge,” is coming to the ground floor of the Beacon at Clarendon this year.

Johnny Cheung, who identified himself as the owner, said the restaurant will likely open in mid-February. A building permit was issued for the restaurant on Jan. 3.

Asiatique is located at 1128 N. Irving Street, next to the former site of Park Lane Tavern, a European-inspired pub that closed in 2016, just eight months after opening.

Cheung said the Clarendon location, which will offer fine dining, will be Asiatique’s first.

Hat tip to Christopher Cahill

Verre Wine Bar Open in Courthouse

By Chris Teale
1/2

A new wine bar and restaurant is open on the first floor of a Courthouse hotel.

Verre Wine Bar and Restaurant is located at 2415 Wilson Blvd, on the first floor of the Hyatt Place hotel, which opened ahead of schedule last year. Based on photos posted to the wine bar’s Yelp page, it opened in November.

Verre has an extensive wine and draft beer list, as well as small plates and cheese and charcuterie boards among other foods. It opens at 5 p.m. each day with happy hour.

Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge Open at The Board Room

By Chris Teale
1/6

The Board Room, which opened late last year in Clarendon, has a new addition: Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge.

The extra space at 925 N. Garfield Street, which once was the butcher shop at the former Sehkraft Brewing, describes itself as “an update on the classic, elegant salons of a bygone era — a relaxing oasis amid the hustle of modern life.”

“People come in here and say they feel underdressed,” joked owner Mark Handwerger.

It offers 41 different varieties of champagne and sparkling wine, as well as specialty cocktails, including ones that rotate on a seasonal and monthly basis. Champagne is also available in tasting flights.

And along with the usual fare of small plates, cheeses and salads, it has caviar available accompanied by diced shallots, chives, grated eggs, creme fraiche and blinis, a Russian pancake.

Ms. Peacock’s will also host events, including talks with champagne and wine makers. It is adjacent to another small room, known as The Chairman’s Lounge, through a retractable bookcase.

It adjoins The Board Room, which offers board games for rent in addition to a large food and drinks menu. It is The Board Room’s second location — its first is in Dupont Circle.

Arlington’s First Dedicated Poke Restaurant Open in Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com
1/3

A culinary trend that took D.C. by storm over the past two years has finally landed in Arlington.

A poke restaurant opened recently in the food court of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall. Called Poké it Up, the fast-casual eatery sells poke bowls — and burritos — featuring a variety of seafood, vegetables and sauces, ordered Chipotle-style at a counter.

Prices range from from $7.49 for a vegetarian option — a salad — to $12.95 for a large bowl or burrito with three scoops of fish. Certain ingredients come with an additional charge.

Though Shirlington restaurant Hula Girl has offered the now-trendy Hawaiian dish on its menu for some time, Poké it Up is the only dedicated poke restaurant in the county.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Beyer Blasts GOP Tax Bill — Rep. Don Beyer is, to say the least, not a fan of the Republican tax bill that is expected to pass the House and be sent to the president’s desk later today. “At its core, this bill is an immoral redistribution of wealth towards the richest among us at a cost of trillions of dollars, and I believe that those who voted for this monstrosity will be held accountable,” Beyer said in a statement. [Rep. Don Beyer, Twitter]

Single Vote Swings Va. House — Thanks to a Democratic candidate in Newport News winning her race by a single vote, as determined in a recount, the Virginia House of Delegates is now evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, ending a majority the GOP has maintained since 2000. [Washington Post]

‘Dominion Pint’ Coming to Arlington — The owner of Meridian Pint (also Brookland Pint and Smoke & Barrel) in D.C. is planning to open a new craft beer-centric outpost somewhere in North Arlington. The location has not yet been announced, but it will be called “Dominion Pint.” [PoPville]

DESIGNArlington Winners Announced — The Arlington County Board on Tuesday recognized the ten 2017 DESIGNArlington award winners for “outstanding architectural or landscape design in the County.” Among the winners are the new Marymount University building in Ballston, the Tellus apartment building in Courthouse, “The Quill” public art project in Rosslyn and two private North Arlington residences. [Arlington County, Arlington County]

Gutshall Sworn In — The newest Arlington County Board member, Erik Gutshall, was sworn in at yesterday’s Board meeting, while outgoing County Board Chair Jay Fisette received a standing ovation. [Twitter]

Changes to Historic Preservation Process — The Arlington County Board voted unanimously last night to revise and further codify the process for requesting historic preservation studies. Until now, any single individual could request a “historic preservation overlay district” study, which requires significant county staff time to complete. Before the vote, such a study could even be requested without consulting property owners in the proposed district. [Arlington County]

Arlington Man Dies in Plane Crash — Paul Schuda, a National Transportation Safety Board official and Arlington resident, was among three people killed in the crash of a small plane in Indiana. [NPR, Legacy]

Photo courtesy Peter Golkin

UPDATED: Fast-Casual Pizza Chain &pizza to Open Wednesday, Dec. 27 in Ballston

By Chris Teale
1/4

Update December 21 at 1:45 p.m. — &pizza will open on Wednesday, December 27 after a spokesman said the eatery hit “a few last-minute details that needed to be addressed and the team simply ran up against the Christmas break.” Multiple tipsters said that staff at the restaurant said it had run into permitting issues with the county.

Earlier: The new fast-casual pizzeria &pizza will open to the public on Thursday in Ballston.

The build-your-own-pizza restaurant will move into 3924 Wilson Blvd, next to Freshbikes near the intersection with N. Quincy Street. It will occupy more than 2,000 square feet of space in the building, facing Wilson Blvd and across the parking lot from Gold’s Gym.

Ahead of the full opening, &pizza is hosting a now-sold-out soft opening today and tomorrow (Wednesday). Each attendee will receive a complimentary pizza so that employees can practice.

“&pizza is a different kind of pizza shop — one where experience is the focal point, and every shop reflects the culture and people who visit most,” the invite reads. “With the opening our Ballston shop, we want to invite you to join us for a lunch or dinner on us.”

Guests can expect &pizza’s signature customizable oblong pizzas with unlimited toppings using local ingredients and no artificial flavors.

More from a press release, after the jump.

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Mediterranean Restaurant Delia’s to Replace Tazza Kitchen in Arlington Ridge Shopping Center

By Chris Teale
1/2

A Mediterranean and pizza restaurant with locations in Alexandria, Springfield and Sterling will replace the former Tazza Kitchen in the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center.

Signs at the storefront at 2931 S. Glebe Road, near the county’s border with Alexandria, show Delia’s Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza will move in soon. Tazza Kitchen closed last year in the space next door to the sweetfrog frozen yogurt store.

And permitting applications filed with the county show it is looking to remove a half wall in the dining area and bring in new cooking equipment.

Delia’s serves Mediterranean-inspired food, and has a full bar with cocktails, wine and craft beer, as well as catering services based in Falls Church. It describes its Springfield and Sterling locations as family-style restaurants, which offer a “more casual experience.”

Hat-tip to Thomas N.

Japanese Restaurant Takohachi Open on Columbia Pike

By Chris Teale
1/5

A Japanese restaurant is now open at the Westmont Shopping Center on Columbia Pike.

Takohachi opened last Monday (December 11) at 3249 Columbia Pike, near its intersection with S. Glebe Road in Arlington Heights.

It replaced the Sports House Grill, a sports bar that ran into some controversy in recent years, between a State Farm agent and a Mattress Firm store.

The restaurant has a sushi bar, as well as traditional Japanese food like noodles, ramen, tempura and several types of saki — a Japanese rice wine — on the menu.

It is open for lunch every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Sundays through Thursdays, it is open 5-10 p.m. for dinner, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-10:30 p.m.

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