Around Town

Smokecraft Modern Barbecue Opening in Clarendon This Spring

Award-winning BBQ pitmasters are planning to bring their first restaurant in Clarendon this spring.

Smokecraft Modern Barbecue is expected to open in the former Citizen Burger Bar space (1051 N. Highland Street) either in “late March or early April,” according to a spokeswoman from the restaurant.

Restaurant owners Marc “Red” Leone and Andrew Darneille are the team behind “Smokecraft Championship Barbecue.” The duo have won a plethora of BBQ competitions across the Mid-Atlantic, and will be at MetroCooking DC’s BBQ Bash next weekend.

Their upcoming restaurant plans to use a Southern Pride commercial smoker to prepare over 2,000 pounds of barbecue at any given time.

Anticipated menu offerings include “barbecue favorites,” plus unique dishes such as “smoked duck, chipotle maple cedar plank salmon, and smoked spaghetti squash.”

In addition to food, the 3,460-square-foot space will feature a full bar and late-night specials. Citizen Burger Bar closed in June after five years in business.