Around Town

Italian Restaurant Coming to Columbia Pike

A new Italian restaurant is coming to 3111 Columbia Pike.

Padrino’s Fine Italian Cuisine hopes to first open its doors at some point near the end of June, according to owner Sami Khan, who said he’s excited to be opening a restaurant on the Pike.

“This is a beautiful place,” he said of the still-developing strip.

Khan says he expects to hold a formal grand opening during the first week of July. Also in July, Padrino’s will seek a live entertainment permit from the County Board, to allow live music, karaoke and other forms of indoor entertainment.

Padrino’s expects to have its first internet presence — a Facebook page — within two weeks.

Khan’s previous Arlington restaurant attempt, Cleopatra’s Mediterranean Bistro, closed earlier this year. Khan said the small shopping center off Glebe Road that housed Cleopatra’s was not conducive to his business.

The former occupant of 3111 Columbia Pike, the hookah lounge/pool hall/nightclub/restaurant Club 31-11, closed in March after just a couple of months in business. We reported at the time that the club had neglected to apply for a live entertainment permit when it opened, thus making it a target of several police inspections.

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