restaurant

Clarendon’s Wilson Hardware fully reopens after million dollar revamp

By Matt Blitz
1/8

Nightlife venue Wilson Hardware in Clarendon is now back fully reopened after a million-dollar renovation.

The five-year-old restaurant underwent a significant facelift over the last several months that added a new garden terrace, expanded the rooftop, redesigned the interior dining space, and redid the menu.

While Wilson Hardware never fully closed, the nightlife venue and restaurant on 2915 Wilson Blvd made its new and improved debut this past week.

The three-level venue now has distinct spaces on each level and the intent is to be open year-round. The rooftop added a retractable awning so it’s now “suitable for all seasons.”

“Overall, the team wanted to reinvest in the space that has served the Arlington community for five years strong and create a more elevated atmosphere for guests, giving them the chance to experience three distinct environments in one setting,” a restaurant spokesperson told ARLnow about why they decided to embark on the renovation.

Wilson Hardware opened in the late summer of 2017. Its name is in homage to the hardware store that occupied that space for decades prior before closing in 2005. After that, Ri Ra Irish Pub moved in before making way for Wilson Hardware.

The concept for the revamp is “industrial-chic” while also emphasizing greenery and floral decor.

“The redesigned dining space on the first level features updated seating in a sleek, industrial-style setting,” reads the press release. The second level includes lounge seating for cocktail hour and double doors that lead out to a newly-designed garden terrace, where guests can grab a drink from the bar outside or order a bite to eat at several dining tables. The third-level rooftop bar is nearly doubled in size and features floral decor reminiscent of its downstairs terrace as well as a retractable awning to block out the sun on hot days or keep the winter breeze at bay.”

There’s also a bit of a reworked menu that includes several new options like truffle hanger steak and garlic shrimp skillet. In terms of cocktails, the major addition is the PSM — yes, that’s a pumpkin spice martini with vodka, Kahlua, pumpkin liqueur, and espresso. Brunch has also been extended on Sundays until 6 p.m.

Back in July, a small fire broke out reportedly at or near the roof of Wilson Hardware. There’s no word back from the restaurant as of the publication if the fire was indeed at the restaurant and related to the renovation.

Long-time Pentagon City restaurant Tasteful Delight appears to be closed

By Matt Blitz
Tasteful Delight in Pentagon City now appears closed (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It appears that Pentagon City mainstay Tasteful Delight has closed.

The signage is now gone at the long-time Chinese food restaurant on S. Joyce Street. There’s also a lock on the door, plus the interior looks like it has been cleared out. As further proof, online ordering is no longer available on the restaurant’s website and its phone line has been disconnected.

It’s unclear when exactly Tasteful Delight did serve its last meal, with the last Yelp review being from early September.

ARLnow has reached out to the email listed on the restaurant’s website but has yet to hear back as of publication.

Earlier this week, a tip came in that expressed disappointment that the restaurant had closed because “the food was really good.” On NextDoor, there was similar sentiment.

“It was by far the best American style Chinese food I’ve food in the area.” Another says that they “feared” the day it would close and “almost fell to my knees cursing the sky” when they realized they would no longer be able to order from there. Overall, Tasteful Delight garnered 3.5 stars on Yelp.

The restaurant was open at 1301 S. Joyce Street for at least a decade, outlasting until now all the turnover that’s been going on at Pentagon Row — also known as Westpost — over the last two years.

Hate crime charge dropped in Crystal City “dine and dash” assault case

By Jo DeVoe
Jordon Bevan (photos via ACPD)

A man who was charged with a hate crime after allegedly shoving a restaurant employee in Crystal City and refusing to pay for his meal pled guilty to a lesser offense.

In May 2021, Jordon Bevan left a local restaurant without paying, pushed an employee and used anti-Asian slurs, the Arlington County Police Department alleged at the time.

Bevan was charged with a hate crime, which is a felony, along with the misdemeanors of resisting arrest, defrauding an innkeeper and petit larceny. The nature of the slurs he is alleged to have used is unclear and court documents reviewed by ARLnow only detail Bevan using the term “Asians.”

The “dine and dash” case and hate crime allegations were widely reported, with a video of the incident broadcast on local TV news.

The hate crime charge was later amended, however, to the misdemeanor assault and battery, according to court records. Bevan pled guilty to that in September 2021 and was not prosecuted for the other crimes.

After his May arrest, Bevan was discharged to reside in Ohio with his mother and seek mental health treatment, including psychiatric visits and medication, according to court records.

“There was a strong mental health component to this case, which included a resolution requiring mental health treatment, along with restitution and no contact provisions, all pursuant to a plea agreement wherein other charges were dismissed,” Arlington’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti told ARLnow. “That usually happens on our motion. There was a follow up hearing in December 2021 to ensure mental health compliance and our notes indicate the court deemed that Mr. Bevan was compliant.”

Mental health symptoms noted during an evaluation after his arrest were later found to no longer be present “likely due to treatment with antipsychotic medicines,” according to Bevan’s court file.

When asked if the hate crime charge was dropped because of insufficient evidence, a plea deal or otherwise, Dehghani-Tafti said there were multiple factors to consider.

“For each case, we take into consideration the evidence that supports the elements of the charge, mitigating evidence such as mental illness, and what is the just thing to do for all the parties involved,” she said. “Balancing all those things, here it made sense to focus on mental health treatment.”

According to a statement from the restaurant employee who was shoved, Bevan came into the restaurant and ordered what she described as too much food. She said she tried and failed to persuade him to shorten his order.

After being served he changed tables. The employee said she noticed he had disappeared when she went to take orders from other customers.

“My son and I went to follow him,” she said. “I asked him to pay for the food, but he kept saying ’emergency.'”

The woman continued to ask Bevan to pay while her son recorded the confrontation. When her son called the police, Bevan tried to run away.

“I went in front of him to block him, but he kept trying to run,” she said. “He said, ‘Asians, get out of my face.'”

She said she fell after he bumped into her with his shoulder and he got away as she rose to give chase.

When asked if ACPD could confirm provide more information about the hate crime allegation, spokeswoman Ashley Savage told ARLnow that “no additional details are available to ensure the integrity of any future court proceedings.”

Court records show Bevan was also charged with two counts of petit larceny and one count of resisting arrest in April 2021 for separate, alleged “dine and dash” incidents in the Pentagon City area.

Records indicate he was only prosecuted for one count of petit larceny, for which he paid a $151 fine. He has a court date on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to review his progress.

Maison Cheryl plans to reopen next week after closing for a “fall refresh”

By Matt Blitz
1/3

Clarendon’s Maison Cheryl says it is not closing for good but rather undergoing a “fall refresh.”

Over the last week, ARLnow has received several emails from readers asking whether the French-American bistro had closed permanently.

That does not appear to be the case. The restaurant is planning to reopen on Monday (Oct. 3) after a two-week hiatus for repairs, to hire staff, and complete training, a spokesperson confirmed to ARLnow.

“We are simply changing with the season! We’ve had some maintenance and repairs done on the inside of the restaurant. We also hired a new General Manager, Jody Sultan, that we are very excited about,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “She’s bringing some great staff with her and we are currently training and implementing some new processes so that we are ready to hit the ground running when we reopen fully on Monday, October 3rd. Our new fall menu will be debuting along with the reopening.”

Maison Cheryl first opened about a year ago at 2900 Wilson Blvd near the intersection with N. Fillmore Street. As chef and co-owner Robert Maher told ARLnow at the time, the restaurant’s aim was to be a great date night spot for “older millennials” in a neighborhood that often caters to a younger crowd. It has garnered generally favorable reviews online, with many of the less favorable reviews mentioning the pricing.

With Maher being a trained French chef, the cuisine is billed as “French-New American.” Popular dishes include the Maison Wagyu burger, duck breast, and bucatini with fried burrata in a zucchini sauce.

Earlier this year, Maher shared with ARLnow that Covid concerns and difficulty securing an outdoor seating permit were posing some challenges for the relatively new eatery in a storefront that has seen some turnover. However, he expressed optimism at the time that it was going to all work out in Clarendon and, possibly, beyond.

“One day, I might think of [opening] another one, but right now just trying to become a staple in the community,” he said. “I’m having the time of my life doing that.”

Say ‘prost’ to fall next weekend at an Oktoberfest in Crystal City

By Jo DeVoe
Woman at an Oktoberfest in Crystal City (courtesy photo)

Update on 9/28/22 — This event has been postponed until Saturday, Oct. 22.

https://twitter.com/nationallanding/status/1575225308135190528

Earlier: Pull out your lederhosen and dirndls for an Oktoberfest celebration returning to Crystal City next weekend.

German lagers and cider will flow freely at the outdoor festival on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 12-4 p.m. There will be games and live polka music from Alte Kumpel Band.

The festival, sponsored by the National Landing Business Improvement District, will be held at the patio and terrace space between 22nd and 23rd Streets S., near 556 22nd Street S. — formerly Athena Pallas restaurant, before it closed this summer.

Entry to the event, dubbed the National Landing Oktoberfest, is free and open to all ages and dogs (on leashes), but attendees must register and show their ticket to get in.

Food and drinks are available for purchase, and attendees’ first beer comes with a free stein — while supplies last.

That stein unlocks specials from participating restaurants on Crystal City’s “Restaurant Row“:

The Oktoberfest is being held rain or shine and drink tickets are non-refundable, according to the event website.

Poppyseed Rye revamps menu, adds former Le Diplomate chef

By ARLnow.com
Exterior of Poppyseed Rye (staff photo)

Sandwich and salad spot Poppyseed Rye is revamping its menu and bringing on a new chef in the kitchen and as a partner.

Greg Lloyd, who worked as Executive Chef at D.C.’s busy Le Diplomate since 2016, is now the Ballston restaurant-slash-flower-shop’s chef and managing partner.

“At Le Diplomate Greg oversaw a kitchen team of 125 people, and ran one of the busiest kitchens in Washington,” a press release notes. “Prior to Le Diplomate he ran Parc in Philadelphia and Buddakan in [NYC], other properties of restaurant magnate Stephen Starr.

“This is a dream addition to our team. Greg’s talent and tenacity know no bounds,” said Poppyseed Rye partner and local serial entrepreneur Scott Parker. “He’s someone we’re looking forward to growing with, and he has revolutionized our offerings at Poppyseed Rye. We’re really thrilled to bring one of D.C.’s top chefs to Arlington, and specifically Ballston.”

Lloyd said in a statement that he wants to “make bellies happy.”

“Greg’s new menu kicks off at Poppyseed Rye effective immediately, it’s already live,” said the press release. “It features breakfast all day, with all new breakfast sandwiches and awesome classics like biscuits and gravy. He’s also added some of his favorite sandwiches and will run daily specials.”

Other menu items include a bahn mi sandwich, mushroom tart toast, and pork belly biscuit breakfast sandwich.

Poppyseed Rye has changed its hours, focusing on lunch and later breakfasts.

“To coincide with the changes, Poppyseed Rye is now open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and has added a coffee menu to go with the new food,” the press release said. When it opened last November, the hours were 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Parker and Lloyd have their sights set on other ventures, as well. The team is now “busy concepting upcoming restaurants… to be announced in the coming months, including one project in Fells Point, Baltimore.”

JUST IN: Driver likely had ‘medical emergency’ before crashing into Ireland’s Four Courts, police say

By Jo DeVoe
1/10

(Updated at 2:40 p.m.) The rideshare driver who crashed into Ireland’s Four Courts in Courthouse last month likely experienced “a medical emergency” before driving into the building, police say.

This preliminary explanation comes after Arlington County police previously ruled out drunk driving as well as malicious intent.

The crash set fire to the popular pub, situated next to the “T” intersection of N. Courthouse Road and Wilson Blvd, during a local company’s happy hour event. It triggered a large emergency response and road closures as people fled the fiery scene. More than a dozen people were hurt.

Police said today that all three pub-goers who were hospitalized with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries have now been released — a little over a month after they were admitted. One patient was still in critical condition and two others were in stable condition within a week of the crash.

The seriously injured people are expected to undergo a rehabilitation process as they continue to recover, we’re told.

In all, 15 people were injured, including nine brought to local hospitals. Of them, three were Four Courts employees hospitalized for less serious injuries, including smoke inhalation.

Four Courts Managing Partner Dave Cahill told ARLnow that the patrons who were seriously injured may not have survived but for other quick-thinking fellow pub-goers, including a volunteer firefighter, as well as first responders who arrived on scene just moments after the crash.

“Our thoughts and prayers have been with them for this whole time,” Cahill said of the victims. “They’re regulars who come in here all the time… we’re happy that they’ve started the next stage of recovery.”

Building inspectors determined that Four Courts is structurally sound but not fit for occupancy due to the extensive damage.

The pub is planning to rebuild, funded in part by a now-closed GoFundMe campaign that blew well past its $50,000 goal, raising just over $95,000. Tonight, fellow Arlington Irish pub Samuel Beckett’s (2800 S. Randolph Street) is hosting a fundraiser and silent auction for Four Courts staff.

Cahill told ARLnow today that insurance and other matters are still being worked out before construction can begin that would allow at least part of the pub to reopen. If demolition starts soon, he said, the best case scenario would be reopening in late spring or early summer of 2023.

When the doors swing back open, he wants customers to feel like nothing has changed, and for regulars to request the same TV channels and sit in the same seats they’ve sat in for years.

“We’re going to work and recreate Four Courts as close back to the original as possible,” he said. “We don’t want people to walk in here and think they’re in a different place. Things will be updated, obviously, but we want people to feel at home in the Four Courts.”

The only thing that many repeat customers would miss would be their personal mugs. Four Courts had a mug club with more than 1,475 mugs people purchased; added their names, football team logos and family crests to; and drank from whenever they came in.

“We lost a lot of mugs,” he said. “When the fire came, it melted the mug and left the handle. We’re sad about that. That was a big part of the brand.”

(more…)

Gaijin Ramen Shop closes in Cherrydale

By ARLnow.com
1/2

A well-regarded local ramen restaurant has closed.

Gaijin Ramen Shop, at 3800 Langston Blvd in Cherrydale, closed its doors earlier this month, citing “irrecoverable business losses” from the pandemic. The shop was only open for lunch and dinner four days per week prior to its closure.

From the restaurant’s website:

Why did we close? The pandemic hit us hard. We suffered irrecoverable business losses the last few years, but we were sustained by grit and our loyal staff. Ultimately, factors such as skyrocketing food costs, supply chain instability, and other costs are too much for us to continue to handle. We could not find a path to provide high-quality food at a reasonable price. Shutting down Gaijin is an incredibly hard decision, but we are so very grateful for the support. We are so proud to have served the Arlington community since 2015.

We would like to thank our customers and staff who made Gaijin an awesome place for the past 7 years. We appreciate all the love you gave us and all the great memories we shared together! Being voted “Best Ramen” by the voters in Arlington Magazine was an accolade that we will always treasure. Our kids had their first jobs working at Gaijin, we’ve watched our servers “grow up” and go off to college and then return during summers and breaks, we’ve grieved and celebrated inside the walls of our restaurant, and we are grateful for every minute.

Thank you for your support; we’ll miss you!

Gaijin opened in July 2015 and was co-owned by two women who pooled their savings in order to follow their passion for scratch-made ramen. The name, which means “foreigner” in Japanese, was a light-hearted nod to neither being from Japan.

Its lengthy, painstaking approach to making ramen earned Gaijin some local accolades and 4.4 stars via Google reviews.

A restaurant that seemingly matched the description of Gaijin was listed for sale this year via a business brokerage website, but a co-owner took to ARLnow’s comments section last month to deny that it was for sale.

Driver swerves over embankment at Dunkin’ drive-thru

By ARLnow.com
1/2

Those in line to get coffee and donuts in the Buckingham neighborhood this morning were met with an unusual sight.

The driver of a white Volvo drove partially down an embankment next to the Dunkin’ drive-thru at 70 N. Glebe Road, becoming wedged between the sidewalk and the restaurant’s driveway. It’s not clear what led to the crash, though the drive-thru line is not typically associated with excess speed.

“I’m not sure what the story is or how the car ended up this way,” said a tipster, who called it an “odd scene.”

No emergency vehicles are seen in the photos above, which were taken around 7:45 a.m.

The Dunkin’ and its drive-thru lane opened in 2017, replacing a former KFC.

Beemer BBQ behind Columbia Pike Chinese restaurant

By ARLnow.com
Vehicle on fire behind Mrs. Chen’s Kitchen

A car is fully engulfed in flames behind Mrs. Chen’s Kitchen restaurant on Columbia Pike.

Firefighters are currently on the scene, on the 3100 block of the Pike, working to extinguish the vehicular inferno in the rear of the long-time Chinese eatery.

No injuries have been reported. The vehicle is said to be a gray BMW.

Lease may be drying up for local watering hole Thirsty Bernie

By ARLnow.com
1/2

(Updated at 1:15 p.m.) Will Thirsty Bernie close or move next year and leave its regulars parched?

The sports bar at 2163 N. Glebe Road, in the Glebe Lee Shopping Center, has largely kept doing its thing after previous talk of format and management changes. But this time around the tea leaves point to an even bigger change for the North Arlington staple.

A leasing chart for the shopping center says the restaurant space currently occupied by Thirsty Bernie Sports Bar & Grill will be “available June 1, 2023.” That follows a tip received by ARLnow in July that Thirsty Bernie was trying to find someone to take over the space.

ARLnow reached out to the business then and now and received a brief, non-specific denial both times.

“Thirsty Bernie has no plan to close in near future,” the bar said via email.

Should the current location — which remains open — close next year, it is not immediately clear whether Thirsty Bernie would move elsewhere, a la Whitlow’s, or simply close up shop entirely.

A long-term plan for the Langston Blvd corridor, including this shopping center, is currently making its way through a public process prior to an eventual County Board vote. The plan may see aging strip malls like this one replaced over the next couple of decades with taller, mixed-use developments.

Hat tip to Mike W.

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