The store features a decent selection of pizza by the slice, sandwiches, salad and gelato.
Pizza Autentica also serves beer and wine. Prices are about what you’d expect for a cafeteria-style pizza joint — not too expensive but not too cheap — with the exception of pitchers of beer, which are an impressively low $8.99.
With about 200 indoor seats and 100 outdoor seats (which will stay in storage until next year), Rustico is trying to become the premiere lunch, dinner, happy hour and sophisticated night spot in Ballston.
It will certainly have the largest beer selection in Ballston, if not in all of Northern Virginia: 400 bottles, 40 drafts and 3 cask ales (the casks will be installed next week). By comparison, the original Rustico, in Alexandria, has 300 bottles, 30 drafts and 2 cask ales.
The restaurant, which specializes in “wings, beer and sports,” is being built in an empty ground-level space near the corner of 23rd Street and Crystal Drive, across from Jaleo.
It will be the sixth “BW3” in the area, one of two that are near a Metro station (in addition to the Rockville location), and the closest to D.C. proper.
Sponsored by the web site Brightest Young Things and Pink Line Project, an arts advocacy organization, Burst @ Artisphere was billed as the hipper, cheaper counterpart to Friday’s $250 per ticket opening gala. True to the billing, the evening attracted a hipster-heavy crowd that looked a bit out of place in stodgy, corporate Rosslyn. Organizers helped lure party-goers from their safe, comfortable DC environs with regular shuttle bus service from Dupont Circle and with the promise of free beer and wine (after the $20 cover).
Once inside, Artisphere’s two-floor Wi-Fi Cafe was filled to the brim with beautiful and/or interesting people, all conversing loudly. Pabst Blue Ribbon and Beringer flowed freely.
Update on 10/20 — Rustico will open for lunch and dinner starting on Oct. 26, according to spokesperson Amber Pfau.
A tentative opening date for Rustico’s new Ballston location has been set.
Held at the not-yet-open-to-the-public Artisphere, Burst will feature DJs, elaborate balloon sculptures, a camera crew from TLC following around the creator of the aforementioned balloon sculptures, and UNLIMITED FREE BEER AND WINE (until the bartender cuts you off).
Since we only have one set of tickets (normally $20 apiece) to give away, we’ll do this contest-style.
From noon to 6:00 on Saturday, thousands of beer drinkers will jam Campbell Avenue in Shirlington Village for the 10th annual Mid-Atlantic Oktoberfest. Wear your best lederhosen and bring extra cash for bratwurst. Oh, and bring a non-drinking friend who can help you get home safely AND provide a few extra sample tickets to your group (for $25, each attendee gets 10 tickets good for one 4 oz. beer sample each).
Dog lovers skipping the Oktoberfest may want to check out Dogtober Day and Barker’s Bash, a dog show and festival full of fun and games. It’s taking place at Lacey Woods Park (1200 N. George Mason Dr.) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Drafthouse will be screening Beer Wars, a documentary that “goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries” and “reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer.”
The film starts at 7:30 p.m., but an optional beer tasting will be held beforehand, beginning at 6:15. The tasting will feature local and national craft beers, including Dogfish, Flying Dog, Stone, Sam Adams, Star Hill, Heavy Seas, and more.
Vintage Crystal is back with the same Latin flavor as last year. The fourth annual festival will feature wine and tequila tastings, all-you-can-eat tapas from more than 20 local restaurants, Latin American music and salsa dancing.
Tickets are $20 and come with a complimentary wine glass.
For the serious cornhole competitor, AASL still has a few spots open for its summer cornhole league at Clarendon Grill. Now in its second year, the 10 team league plays six regular season games on Tuesday nights. The season starts next week on June 8.
Registration costs $20 and includes a free t-shirt. Plus there’s cheap beer for league members.
There are several very good options for people who want to get out of their house or apartment and do something tonight:
As always, see our events calendar for lots more to do this weekend.
