new restaurant | ARLnow.com

Published September 30, 2011 at 11:01AM

The restaurant replaces the four-year-old Cherrydale Deli, but remains under the same ownership. Though some of the same deli items remain on the menu, Billy’s will focus specifically on — you guessed it — cheesesteaks.

The menu includes an “authentic” Philly cheesesteak, with steak, onions and Cheez Whiz. Other offerings include the smoky-sweet Arlington cheesesteak (steak, onions, provolone and Billy’s steak sauce), the Bacon Steak (steak, ham, onions, provolone and bacon) and the Pizza Steak (steak, marinara, provolone). Lettuce, tomatoes and mayo are available, but only on request.

Around Town

First Look: Ray’s to the Third in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2011 at 11:50AM | Updated September 22, 2011 at 12:30PM

With no formal announcement to speak of, save a modest “now open” sign outside the door, restauranteur Michael Landrum opened his latest “Ray’s” restaurant in Rosslyn last night.

“Ray’s to the Third” (1650 Wilson Blvd) is, at first blush, a casual-ified version of Ray’s the Steaks, with a bar. The menu, which is still being worked on, consisted primarily of steak and seafood items from Ray’s the Steaks (2300 Wilson Blvd) at a slightly lower price point. (The familiar Ray’s steak dishes are now all served as steak frites.)

Around Town

Haute Dog and Fries Coming to Arlington?

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 9:28AM

The Purcellville, Va. restaurant is in the midst of scouting out available storefronts in Arlington County, according to co-owner Pamela Swanson.

“We are currently looking at a few different locations in Arlington but haven’t decided on one particular spot as of yet,” Swanson said. “We would like to confirm a location as soon as possible and be open within the next few months.”

Around Town

Cafe Caturra Now Open on Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com

Published September 19, 2011 at 12:58PM

Cafe Caturra, a Richmond-based coffee shop/wine bar/soup-salad-and-sandwich restaurant, is now open in the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center. The 3,400 square foot eatery, which features a decor partially made from reclaimed materials, officially opened its doors to customers on Friday.

Located at 2931 S. Glebe Road, Cafe Caturra offers specialty coffees, 24 boutique wines, two draft beers, and 20 bottled beers. The restaurant is offering mimosa specials on Sunday and is planning to eventually offer a weekday happy hour, according to marketing director Melissa Kirkpatrick.

Around Town

‘Perfect Pita’ Coming Soon to Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published September 16, 2011 at 3:55PM

The restaurant will be built on the ground floor of 1735 N. Lynn Street, which is also home to Chipotle, Starbucks and Chop’t. It’s not clear where exactly Perfect Pita will be located, but one possibility is the recently-cleared space along Wilson Boulevard that was once Tomo Sushi.

Perfect Pita’s menu includes homemade hummus and homemade meat and vegetarian pitas, as well as salads, appetizers and pizzas.

Around Town

Zoë’s Kitchen Prepares for Saturday Opening

By ARLnow.com

Published September 15, 2011 at 10:25AM

Interior construction has happened at an impressively rapid rate since the restaurant first announced an ambitious mid-September opening date earlier this month — but the opening is still at least two days before schedule.

The Alabama-based, Greek-inspired restaurant chain offers soups, salads, sandwiches, pitas and lunch/dinner entrees. The menu includes chicken kabobs, Greek salad, tuna salad, freshly-made hummus, a “club pita,” chicken pita pizza, spinach roll-ups and a turkey Reuben sandwich.

Around Town

New Steakhouse Coming to Shirlington

By ARLnow.com

Published September 8, 2011 at 12:46PM

A new steakhouse is coming to the Village at Shirlington, according to a ‘help wanted’ ad placed on Craigslist.

Called “4 Seasons Steakhouse,” the restaurant is looking to hire an executive chef (“Experience with dry-aged steaks a PLUS!”), a general manager, bartenders and servers.

News

American Tap Room Prepares to Open in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published September 2, 2011 at 3:14PM

Dozens of taps line the wall of the bar, which opens up into a large dining room. Beyond the dining area is a glass-enclosed martini bar. During warm seasons, patrons can head outside to the sizable patio and get toasty next to the three fire pits.

“We’re excited to be a part of the Clarendon community,” said Vice President of Marketing Wade Breaux. “We can’t wait to see everyone in a few days.”

Around Town

Construction Underway at Zoë’s Kitchen in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published September 1, 2011 at 1:52PM | Updated September 1, 2011 at 4:23PM

General Manager Dave Cottrell said the Ballston location may open as soon as Sept. 15, if everything goes well. We suspect that it may take a little while longer for Zoë’s to obtain all the necessary permits after construction wraps up.

Founded in 1995, Alabama-based Zoë’s is a rapidly-growing chain with restaurants from Arizona to Florida. Its menu includes kabobs, sandwiches, pitas and a variety of soups and salads.

Around Town

Sangam Restaurant Moving from Ballston to the Pike

By ARLnow.com

Published August 29, 2011 at 11:25AM

Perennial Taste of Arlington favorite Sangam Restaurant is moving from Ballston to Columbia Pike.

According to an employee, the restaurant will close its current location — on the ground floor of the Comfort Inn hotel on Glebe Road in Ballston — after Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, Sept. 1, Sangam will hold its grand opening at 3205 Columbia Pike, in the space formerly occupied by the Kabobs Inn restaurant.

Around Town

Work Starts on ‘Memphis BBQ’ in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published August 19, 2011 at 12:00PM

The restaurant is taking the place of the now-shuttered Mackey’s Public House on 23rd Street, between Crystal Drive and Jefferson Davis Highway. The official word is that the restaurant will open in “late summer,” but ARLnow.com projects a later fall or winter opening.

According to the Washington Business Journal’s Missy Frederick, owner and restaurant veteran Chris George is planning to spend $750,000 renovating the 5,500 square foot space into a proper barbeque joint, complete with a large outdoor patio.

Opinion

Morning Poll: New Clarendon Businesses

By ARLnow.com

Published August 3, 2011 at 9:13AM

By the end of the week, at least 10 new eateries will have opened in Clarendon since February.

Pinkberry will open its doors on Friday, joining other new food destinations including Burapa Thai, Circa, South Block Smoothie & Burrito, Rabbit, Pete’s Apizza, Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream, BGR: The Burger Joint, Cava and Mad Rose Tavern.