new restaurant

‘Stageplate Bistro’ Coming to Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Stageplate Bistro logo (photo via Facebook)A restaurant and bar called “Stageplate Bistro” is coming to Ballston.

According to web listings and an ABC permit application, the restaurant will be opening at 900 N. Glebe Road, which currently houses a new Applebee’s and the former Il Forno restaurant.

The new eatery will serve American cuisine at moderate prices and will feature a sidewalk cafe, according to the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington website. It will seat more than 150 and serve wine, beer and cocktails, according to the ABC permit application.

Stageplate Bistro is the successor to Backstage Bistro Cafe, a small restaurant near Dulles International Airport that also was the home base of a catering company that specialized in catering for events and touring entertainment acts.

Backstage Bistro closed in October and posted the following message to customers on its website.

We would like to sincerely thank all of our amazing cafe guests at Backstage Bistro Cafe Dulles for their kind support of our little cafe and catering company in Dulles, VA. Most of our guests knew we were incubating our first restaurant out of our retail little cafe which sits in front of our Dulles catering kitchen. We are so happy the cafe was so well received and greatly appreciate all of your feedback on our menu, style and concept! We are now very excited and proud to announce that our little café, Backstage Bistro Café Dulles, is all grown up and will now proudly be a full-service restaurant in Arlington, Virginia!

Our new full-service restaurant and bar will be located at 900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203 and is slated to open in December 2016. We hope to see you there!

There was no answer this afternoon at a phone number listed for the restaurant.

Despite hopes of opening next month, based on past restaurant opening precedent — owing in part to over-optimistic owners and a persnickety Arlington County permitting office — we would expect Stageplate Bistro to open no sooner than early 2017.

Logo (top) via Facebook

District Taco Planning South Arlington Location

By ARLnow.com

District Taco at Bailey's Crossroads (photo courtesy District Taco)Homegrown local restaurant chain District Taco is planning to open a south Arlington location at some point next year.

District Taco, which has existing Arlington locations on Lee Highway and in Rosslyn, revealed its plans in a press release about another new location, which opened today (Monday) in the Bailey’s Crossroads area.

The company has a specific south Arlington locale in mind but has not yet signed a lease, District Taco CEO and co-founder Osiris Hoil told ARLnow.com.

“As of right now I don’t want to release the exact location since it is not a 100% done deal,” Hoil said. If all goes to plan, the new restaurant will open in 2017.

Today, meanwhile, District Taco opened a new location along Route 7 in Bailey’s Crossroads, not far from Arlington’s Wakefield High School. The first 50 people in line were to receive a free meal and a swag bag, according to the press release (below).

The press release says additional District Taco locations are set to open next year in Tysons Corner and College Park, Maryland. The company has also “set its sights on” the Philadelphia area.

District Taco is opening a location in Bailey’s Crossroads on Monday, November 21st, 2016. The restaurant is located at 5275-C Leesburg Pike. Originating as a food truck in 2009, District Taco now employs almost 400 people and boasts nine locations across the DC Metro area.

District Taco CEO and Co-founder, Osiris Hoil, plans to continue expanding and creating opportunities for others.

“When I lost my job in 2008 I experienced the need and desperation for a job. I wasn’t able to provide for my family and that devastated me,” says Hoil.

“Now every time I open a new District Taco I just think of how many people we are going to put back to work, while also making sure we create a new career path for them. I believe the sky is the limit and I will continue with my American Dream!”

As a company that encourages philanthropic outreach, District Taco actively partners up with non-profits organizations for new restaurant openings. For the Bailey’s Crossroads grand opening, District Taco is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A percentage of all sales made throughout the entire day will be donated to the organization. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society works towards finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and towards improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Business hours for the grand opening will be 11am to 10 pm. District Taco expects a positive turnout so it is best to arrive prior to the opening time. The first 50 customers in line will eat for free as well as receive a District Taco goodie bag of swag.

In 2017, District Taco will open locations near College Park MD, in Tysons Corner VA, in Arlington VA and will set its sights on Philadelphia PA.

Photo courtesy District Taco

Pentagon City Sweetgreen to Open Tomorrow

By ARLnow.com

Sweetgreen opening in Clarendon (file photo)Arlington’s newest Sweetgreen restaurant is set to open tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Sweetgreen at 575 12th Road S. in Pentagon City, near the Whole Foods and the Orangetheory Fitness, is the chain’s eighth location in Northern Virginia and its fourth in Arlington.

Like the Sweetgreen that opened in Clarendon this summer, the Pentagon City location will be donating its opening day sales to help the hungry.

The eatery offers customers seasonal salads and bowls.

“The brand, dedicated to providing seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients, recently introduced warm bowls as a part of its ongoing menu innovation,” said a PR rep. “Guests can skip the line by ordering ahead on the Sweetgreen app and 100% of opening day proceeds go to Matching Dollars, a food access project a part of FRESHFARM.”

The restaurant’s hours are expected to be 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

File photo

Ramen Restaurant Appears to Be Coming to Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
1/3

It looks like a ramen noodle restaurant is coming to the former Amsterdam Falafelshop space in Clarendon.

Saul Centers, which owns the building, now lists “Hanabi Ramen House” on its leasing chart for the retail bay at 3024 Wilson Blvd.

No additional information was immediately available about the restaurant nor when it may open.

Separately, the leasing chart shows a portion of the space currently occupied by Pete’s New Haven Apizza — the portion at the corner of Clarendon Blvd and N. Garfield Street — as available for lease, though Pete’s is still listed as the tenant for most of its existing space.

Peter’s co-founder Joel Mehr confirmed to ARLnow.com that it is planning to downsize its space while staying in Clarendon. He added: “We are still working out details with our landlord, so it’s not a done deal yet.”

Rumors had previously swirled in commercial real estate circles regarding Pete’s status in Clarendon and whether Chipotle might have been poking around for a potential Clarendon location.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Supermoon (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

Thanksgiving Travel in D.C. Area — More than 1 million D.C. area residents are expected to leave town for Thanksgiving, and 9 out of 10 of them will be traveling by car. The worst day and time for traffic in the region is expected to be next Tuesday afternoon. [Washington Post]

Arlingtonians Spend Big for the Holidays — The average Arlington household is expected to spend $1,741 celebrating the holidays, according to a new survey. That’s the highest expected holiday spending in the region and the 13th highest in the U.S. [InsideNova]

GMU Renames Building in Arlington — George Mason University’s Metropolitan Building in Virginia Square has been renamed for one of the school’s Nobel Prize laureates. The building will be renamed Vernon Smith Hall in a ceremony tomorrow (Friday). The university-owned building, at 3434 Washington Blvd, also houses the new Virginia DMV office. [George Mason University]

Beer Coming to Donut Shop — It’s a combination that would make Homer Simpson drool. Sugar Shack Donuts on Columbia Pike has applied for a Virginia ABC permit to serve beer. The application was filed Nov. 7. No word yet on how soon the store may be offering cold brews to pair with its donuts.

Good Stuff Eatery Opening at DCA — Burger restaurant Good Stuff Eatery is opening a new location today in Arlington: specifically, at Terminal B of Reagan National Airport. [Good Stuff Eatery]

Students Win Video Contest — “A team of students from the Arlington Career Center has won the fifth annual student video challenge sponsored by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), taking home the top prize for the fourth year in a row.” [Arlington Public Schools]

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

Quinn’s in Rosslyn Set to Open Next Month

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Quinn’s on the Corner, a new bar at 1776 Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn, is hoping to open next month, its owner tells ARLnow.com.

Billed as a neighborhood bar with an emphasis on sports and Belgian and Irish food and drink, Quinn’s is expected to open in “early December,” said Reese Gardner.

Much of the bar’s interior has taken shape and could be seen through an open door this afternoon.

Another bar under development by Gardner, Dudley’s Sport and Ale, is continuing to face regulatory hurdles. There’s still no word as to when Dudley’s might finally open in the former Bungalow Sports Grill space in Shirlington.

“I won’t know until exterior permit comments come back,” Gardner told us.

Gardner is the proprietor behind Copperwood Tavern in Shirlington.

Rock ‘n’ Joe Now Open in Ballston, Offering Free Coffee Today

By ARLnow.com
1/7

A new non-Starbucks coffee shop has opened in Ballston.

Rock ‘N’ Joe Coffee Bar held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at 4401 Wilson Blvd, Ste. 103, its first Arlington location and the first of six planned for the D.C. area.

Nearly two dozen people were at the opening, taking advantage of a mug giveaway for the first 250 customers and free coffee all day today (Wednesday). In keeping with the cafe’s rock ‘n’ roll theme, there was also live music.

Prices range from $1.95 to $3.75 for coffee, $3.50 to 4.95 for a latte and are as high as $5.50 for “artisan” drinks like a Raspberry Cookie Crumble coffee. Tea, sandwiches, wraps, breakfast foods, salads and pastries are also offered.

More about Rock ‘N’ Joe and its opening, from a press release:

After the New Jersey-based Rock ‘N’ Joe Coffee Bar franchise was bought by Pittsburgh-based franchisor Ablak Holdings last year, the ‘third-wave’ coffee bar which boasts award-winning coffee and artisan coffee drinks in a relaxed, hip environment, will mark its national expansion Wednesday in Ballston’s busy Wilson Boulevard strip. Five more stores are to open in the D.C. metro area within the next few years.

“People’s desire for that perfect cup of coffee, shot of espresso, or specialty drink isn’t slowing down. What’s been missing is the third-wave coffee-making experience, where baristas showcase the art form of artisan beverage-making,” said Varol Ablak, president and CEO of Ablak Holdings. “Rock ‘N’ Joe’s provides entrepreneurship opportunities for baristas who want to do what they love – work with one of the best roasters in the world, and achieve the financial success that is the hallmark of all of our franchisees.”

From bean to roast and brew, Rock ‘N’ Joe Coffee Bar offers signature blends of coffee with smooth taste, providing an alternative to specialty chains known for the powerful, burnt taste of their brews. This quality has earned Rock ‘N’ Joe accolades from customers and recognition from industry experts including the Specialty Coffee Association of America “Golden Cup” Award, and New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s “Best Coffeehouses North.” The roaster, Dillanos, has received accolades including “Best Roaster in North America,” Roast Magazine.

Franchise owner Talha Sarac, the CEO of Ideal Development, invested in a multi-unit agreement to open five stores in the D.C. metro area, with potential to expand beyond that in the market. The first stores, to be managed by Operating Partner Alex Andrade, will be developed within the next two or three years.

“I’m a coffee snob,” Sarac said. “The coffee is really the best I’ve tasted. And I like the concept of a high-quality coffee shop that offers people a decent alternative to the other big coffee shop companies. Rock ‘N’ Joe is different and there’s a huge demand for such an alternative in this market. I see what people are looking for and I know the neighborhood coffee shop atmosphere with really good coffee will appeal to them.”

Rock ‘N’ Joe’s award-winning, Seattle-based roaster sources coffees from East Africa, Central and South America, and the South Pacific. Dillanos has established strong relationships with partners at origin to ensure the consistency of its supply chain. The “cupping” team spends countless hours verifying quality and profile to ensure that each cup meets a rigorous standard. A “marriage” of age-old roasting techniques combines with modern drum roasters to fully develop each bean.

“Much like the art form of the music playing in the backdrop of each Rock ‘N’ Joe Coffee Bar, the craft of beverage-making is an art form performed by every barista,” said Sarac.

ABOUT ROCK ‘N’ JOE:
Rock ‘N’ Joe Coffee Bar is all about creative excellence. Taste the award-winning and proprietary coffee masterfully blended by one of North America’s premier coffee roasters. Savor the chef-select tastes of our pastries and food while enjoying rock ‘n’ roll music. For people with a passion for great proprietary coffee blends, food, specialty drinks and rock ‘n’ roll music, Rock ‘N’ Joe Coffee Bar is the hippest hangout in town.

Photos by Samantha Moore

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Creek and trees near Rosslyn

Board Holds Pike Transit Station Meeting — Updated at 10:45 a.m. — More than three-and-a-half years after it was first revealed by ARLnow.com that a prototype bus stop on Columbia Pike cost more than $1 million, the discussion of less expensive bus stop alternatives continues. The County Board last night held a work session with staff to discuss the current status of Pike transit station planning, ultimately voting to approve the County Manager’s design recommendations. [Arlington County]

APS High School Boundary Refinements — The next step in what promises to be a contentious process of adjusting Arlington’s high school boundaries will take place tomorrow. A community meeting is planned at the Washington-Lee High School cafeteria starting at 7 p.m. Thursday. [Arlington Public Schools]

Cemetery Bike Ban Starts Today — Starting today, only loved ones visiting a grave or niche will be allowed to ride a bike in Arlington National Cemetery. That nixes a commuter route through the cemetery that some cyclists used to avoid busy roads elsewhere in the county. [ARLnow]

Clement Attacks Pay Raise Proposal — Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey’s pay raise suggestion is opening her up to attacks from challenger Audrey Clement. “The problem is [the] County Board doesn’t do much work, unless you consider rubber-stamping done deals ‘work,'” Clement told supporters via email. Clement also is criticizing a plan to add an extra high-occupancy lane to I-395 and, in response to local noise complaints, calling on NASA to develop quieter helicopters. [InsideNova, Audrey Clement]

Stalled Cab Company May Retain Permits — Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz is recommending the County Board give All Access Taxi, which specializes in providing wheelchair-accessible transportation, two more years to get its service off the ground. Currently, the company has only one cab — and 49 unused permits. [Washington Post]

Local Ghost Stories — ‘Our Man in Arlington’ columnist Charlie Clark has received recent reports of ghostly encounters from “reliable sources” at several local places: at Arlington Hall, along George Mason Drive; at the Overlee swim club and a nearby home; and at an 18th century home in McLean that was torn down last month. [Falls Church News-Press]

Pamplona May Open in December — Pamplona, a new Spanish restaurant in the former SoBe space in Clarendon, is hoping to open “by the end of the year.” James Martin, a 29-year-old rising culinary star, will be the restaurant’s executive chef. He hopes Pamplona will win the kind of critical acclaim that can “put Clarendon on the map.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Medium Rare Hints at Possible Arlington Location

By ARLnow.com

Medium RareIs well-liked steak frites eatery Medium Rare planning an Arlington location?

That certainly seems like the implication of a cryptic series of early morning tweets from the restaurant’s Twitter account.

The steakhouse hinted that it’s bringing something to Arlington “in [the] next few months.” Asked by ARLnow.com for additional information, the restaurant replied, “not yet.”

Noted for its simplicity, moderate prices, selection of sauces and crowd-pleasing desserts, Medium Rare currently has two locations in the District: on Barracks Row and in Cleveland Park.

Spirits of 76 Now Open in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com
1/8

Spirits of 76, new bar with a patriotic name and Americana decor, has opened.

Specializing in whiskey and American comfort food, Spirits of 76 aims to be a neighborhood hangout. Live music is also part of the plan.

The bar quietly opened its doors Wednesday as part of a soft opening. It’s now open from 4 p.m. to last call on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to last call on weekends.

Pace of Restaurant Openings Slowing in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Sweetgreen opening in Clarendon

Several indicators of the pace of restaurant openings in Arlington are pointing down this year.

It’s been a tough year for eateries in Arlington, with at least seven restaurants closing in the Clarendon area alone — the latest of which is Park Lane Tavern.

While some new restaurants and bars are on the way, there have been more closings than openings this year, even while the overall Arlington population rises. (By our count: 22 openings and 24 closings, with many of the openings having been for chain restaurants with more than three locations.)

Though it’s not a precise measurement, in years past ARLnow.com has consistently published around 90 articles per year about new restaurants. This year, we’re on pace to publish 72 articles, a decrease of 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Virginia ABC permit applications are down, indicating that the pipeline of new restaurants may also be drying up.

The number of pending permit applications for businesses seeking beer, wine and liquor licenses usually hovers around 20. Currently, it’s at 13, including a number of wholesalers, a few existing restaurants and seven new restaurants that we’ve already reported on.

There’s talk of a national restaurant recession, but some factors particular to Arlington appear to be in play. For one, it follows years of net restaurant growth in the county. For another, a number of the restaurants that closed this year in Arlington were well regarded by others in the industry and not typical of other failed businesses.

“I think the closings this year have surprised everyone and some of them are concepts that people thought were pretty well done,” one restaurant industry insider told ARLnow.com. “Maybe the bubble has burst.”

While we’ve previously reported rumblings from restaurant owners that the Clarendon market in particular was too crowded with restaurants, this insider did not agree that the closings would necessarily be a good thing for the remaining restaurants.

“I’ve always thought it’s better to have a bustling industry where a lot of people are opening and can feed off being known as being in a good restaurant area,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s a good thing to see all of your competitors and everyone around you closing down.”

With continued growth in other parts of Northern Virginia, like Tysons and Loudoun County, it might be that Arlington is losing its status as a dining destination. While the weekend bar scene in Clarendon remains strong, pulling in customers from around the area, Arlington’s restaurants apparently aren’t having such success.

Or perhaps, some speculate, the continued high cost of living has been pushing out the 20-somethings who are key restaurant customers, leaving older residents with children who go out to eat more sparingly.

Either way, 2016 will be known as a bloody year for the local restaurant biz.

“It’s unbelievable how many places have closed,” said the insider.

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