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Capriotti’s Coming to 1500 Wilson Blvd

Published April 24, 2014 at 5:30PM

The restaurant’s leasing agent made the announcement today that the lease for the space has been signed. Formerly home to Santa Fe Cafe, the office building and retail space at 1500 Wilson Blvd has since been renovated. We previously reported that Capriotti’s was looking to open in Rosslyn, but at the time a location had not been finalized yet.

Capriotti’s is a fast-casual sandwich shop with locations in more than a dozen states. It specializes in large sandwiches that feature turkey and roast beef that has been roasted in-house, overnight.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 18, 2014 at 8:00AM

Rosslyn Startup to Be Featured on ‘Shark Tank’ — Rosslyn-based startup Zoobean will be featured tonight on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Zoobean, which describes itself as “a web service that recommends apps and books for children,” will pitch itself to a panel of wealthy investors, including billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. The show airs at 9:00 p.m. on ABC. The company will also be profiled as part of ARLnow.com’s “Startup Monday” feature next week. [PR Newswire, Des Moines Register]

Pentagon City Mall Expansion Imminent — Work is expected to “begin soon” on a planned 50,000 square foot expansion of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. The expansion will add two new levels of retail, restaurants with outdoor seating, new elevators and escalators, and an expanded food court. Mall owner Simon is also expected to announce some of the new restaurants and retailers coming to the mall “shortly.” [Washington Business Journal]

Around Town

Cajun Seafood Restaurant Opens in Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Published April 10, 2014 at 4:30PM

A new cajun seafood restaurant has opened in Shirlington Village at 4251 Campbell Avenue.

The restaurant is called Blue Sea Seafood and Bar, and it’s located in the former Bear Rock Cafe space. The concept behind it is “to make sure people were getting a great portion, great price and great food,” general manager Jonathan Theriault told ARLnow.com.

Around Town

Four Sisters Grill in Clarendon to Open Next Week

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 7, 2014 at 3:30PM

Four Sisters Grill, a Vietnamese fast-casual restaurant coming to the former Fat Shorty’s space in Clarendon, is planning to open next week.

Owner Hoa Lai, the executive chef at Four Sisters Vietnamese Restaurant in Merrifield and owner of the new venture, said he plans to open the restaurant to the public on April 17. After holding a soft opening last month, Lai told ARLnow.com he pushed back his planned opening date to “iron out some of the kinks.”

Around Town

24-Year-Old Launches Meals-To-Go Shop

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 2, 2014 at 1:30PM | Updated April 2, 2014 at 3:16PM

A 24-year-old Arlington native has opened a new kind of food shop in the Dominion Hills neighborhood.

Taste by Katie opened yesterday at 6017 Wilson Blvd, in the Dominion Hills Centre. The store focuses on reheatable meals to bring home to the family.

Around Town

DCA to Bring in New Restaurants, Retail

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 1, 2014 at 5:30PM | Updated April 1, 2014 at 6:05PM

(Updated at 6:00 p.m.) The list of new restaurants and retailers coming to Reagan National Airport continues to grow.

Taylor Gourmet, &pizza, a politically themed restaurant named Grille District and a new Starbucks location are expected to open in Terminal B and C by the end of the year, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced this week. That’s in additional to the under-construction Ben’s Chili Bowl, Legal Seafoods, American Tap Room, Vineyard Vines, Pinkberry and Lacoste, which are expected to open within the next few months.

Around Town

Mazagan on Columbia Pike Opening Soon

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 31, 2014 at 10:00AM

Chef/owner Riyad Bouizar said he’s hoping to open the business April 15, but after a long, drawn-out construction and licensing process, the opening could be delayed even further. Bouizar signed the lease for the space in August and was hoping to open in December or January.

For the first month, Mazagan will only be open for dinner and late night, Bouizar said, after which it will start selling lunch. During the week, the bar and hookah lounge will be open until 1:00 a.m., and until 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Around Town

100 Montaditos Opening Monday With Free Sandwiches

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 28, 2014 at 3:30PM

In honor of the grand opening, customers on Monday will be treated to a free “montadito,” a spanish sandwich with ingredients like chorizo and serrano ham, and a drink. The montaditos typically cost between $1 and $3.

If customers can’t make it on Monday — or want to avoid the lines free food usually attracts — the restaurant is offering a buy two, get one free deal until April 6, according to the Rosslyn Business Improvement District.

Around Town

‘Modern Comfort’ Restaurant Comes to Ballston

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 25, 2014 at 10:00AM

Republic Kitchen and Bar, a “modern comfort food” concept, is open for dinner in the former Leek American Bistro space in Ballston.

Republic, at 801 N. Quincy Street, is open for dinner this week at 4:30 p.m. for a soft opening and will fully open for lunch business next week, according to General Manager Anthony Catselides.

Around Town

New Sandwich Shop Opens in Clarendon

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 24, 2014 at 3:30PM | Updated March 24, 2014 at 7:03PM

(Updated at 7:00 p.m.) A new sandwich shop has opened in Clarendon at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Garfield Street.

Le Sandwich, a venture started by Mehdi Ben, opened yesterday at 3033 Wilson Blvd, replacing Street Corner Cafe, which had replaced Paciugo Gelato at the end of 2012. Ben said he signed the lease in early 2014 and was able to open so quickly because the eatery is focused on simplicity.

Around Town

Sultana Grill in Bluemont Reopens

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 21, 2014 at 1:00PM

Sultana Grill, a Moroccan restaurant at 5515 Wilson Blvd in Bluemont that closed at the end of last year, reopened this month.

New manager Mohamed Ahmed — who had been an employee under the former management — said the reason for the restaurant’s closing was the former manager’s health problems, which forced the restaurant to close some days unannounced.

Around Town

Westover Beer Garden to Open Second Location Near Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2014 at 1:20PM | Updated March 12, 2014 at 9:27AM

Westover Market Beer Garden

The new beer garden will open on the ground floor of the new Garfield Park apartment building (925 N. Garfield Street). It will features a “beer garden and haus,” a “butcher shop with emphasis on local farms,” and an on-site brewpub that will offer “Arlington County’s first local brew,” according to owner Devin Hicks.

The new beer garden will also serve as a music and event venue and will offer food similar to the current location, but with an expanded menu.