A forthcoming rooftop restaurant and bar in Courthouse aims to serve classic American meals in a fun, relaxed setting.
The previously unnamed restaurant at 2424 Wilson Blvd is called Rooftop Recess, and its menu will feature “expertly handcrafted cocktails and outstanding American cuisine,” according to its website. The restaurant expects to open in early 2025.
Leaning into laidback nostalgia, Rooftop Recess is “inspired by fond memories of playing outside and having fun with friends.”
“Whoever enrolled me in the school of life didn’t schedule enough Recess!” the website reads.
Rooftop Recess appears to be going for heartier dinners, with options like a smashburger, braised short rib, chili crunch salmon and roasted half chicken. The restaurant will also serve salads and a rotating soup of the month.
Appetizers include bang bang shrimp, Maryland crab dip and parmesan truffle fries, along with several flatbread dishes. The “Prosciutt-Dough,” for example, is topped with mozzarella and goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, red onion, arugula, balsamic glaze and of course, prosciutto.
These offerings will accompany an interior that “reflects the hip sensibilities of the surrounding area while also providing a fun atmosphere for a lively happy hour experience.”
Happy hours could include up to 17 signature cocktails, including classics like the negroni, Moscow mule and espresso martini. There are also a handful of nonalcoholic beverages, including fruity mocktails, whiskey alternatives and a hazy IPA from Athletic Brewing Co.
Advertised as a spot for “catching up with friends or enjoying a cozy date night,” the Recess concept comes from owner Gary Ouellette, who also owns Union Jack’s, a British-themed pub in Columbia, Maryland.
The rooftop property has been vacant since Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill closed last December. The former restaurant was in business for over a decade but received frequent noise complaints, leading the county to revoke its live entertainment permit in 2021.
