A new restaurant and private event space is coming to Courthouse, replacing a rooftop bar and restaurant that closed there after less than a year in business.
Rooftop Recess permanently closed in late December after just seven months at 2424 Wilson Blvd, property owner Raghav Dumera told ARLnow. Now, Dumera and his family — who also own and operate Delhi Dhaba Indian Restaurant on the property’s ground floor — say they are in the early stages of planning “The Willow” in the same spot.
“Right now, with just the nature of the restaurant industry and large spaces getting leased up, we’re going to take over that space ourselves, and we’re going to open up a new concept in there,” Dumera said.
It’s a return to the three-level space for the family, who first opened Delhi Dhaba at the property in 1991 and constructed the Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill’s rooftop in 2010. They owned and operated that restaurant for about five years, before selling it to a new owner.
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill eventually closed in 2023.
Rooftop Recess then debuted in the vacant space last May, serving contemporary American food, cocktails and pub fare. It was owned and managed by father-son duo Gary and Brian Ouellette, who did not respond to requests for comment.
The Willow will follow a “pop-up” model with rotating chefs and multiple cuisines, Dumera said. But the business will be primarily “event-driven,” he said, aiming to host larger reservations for private events, like birthday parties. Programming such as rooftop Pilates is also under consideration.
Dumera thinks this could be a more viable business model for the large, three-level space amidst a turbulent D.C.-area market.
“I think people and a lot of investors are just getting weary from investing in a space that is 7,000 square feet, compared to, you know, like a 3,000 [or] 4,000 square foot restaurant, instead of a multi-floor business model,” Dumera said. “That’s why I want to go for more pop-up style, to encumber less labor expenses.”
The family plans to operate the space with “more of an intentional dining experience” — something different from the average fast-casual restaurant, he said.
“I think everything these days is just more experience driven,” Dumera said. “I think people, if they want to spend their money, they’re not just going to spend it to go eat a burger. They want to enjoy a view or an experience.”
Dumera and his family are still ironing out the details and awaiting work permits. He said they hope to open in three months at the earliest.
Delhi Dhaba and Takeshi Sushi remain open on the property’s ground floor.
