Arlington Restaurant Week starts next week, with 40 eateries across the county participating.
Organized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the fourth annual event will run this year from Monday, October 17 through Monday, October 24. The Chamber held its first restaurant week in 2019 and it has continued for the last several years, even through the pandemic, with restaurants providing to-go options. Once again, Amazon is a major sponsor of the event.
As of now, 40 restaurants are participating this year but more could be added in the coming days.
What separates Arlington’s restaurant week from others across the region is that all restaurants in the county are given the opportunity to participate in their own way, Arlington Chamber of Commerce President Kate Bates tells ARLnow.
“Arlington Restaurant Week was deliberately designed in a format that allows restaurants to set their own price points and menus. This gives every restaurant an opportunity to participate, from fast-casual to fine dining,” Bates wrote. “This is important because all of our local restaurants need support as the industry faces staffing shortages, increased food costs, and supply chain issues. Our diverse restaurant industry is part of what makes Arlington a great community, and we need to support our restaurants this week and always, to help them thrive.”
The list of participating restaurants includes:
- Ambar
- Assembly
- Ballston Local
- Banditos Tacos & Tequila
- Barley Mac
- Bartaco
- Bayou Bakery
- Bronson Bierhall
- Buena Vida
- The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant
- Chiko
- The Commentary
- Domino’s
- Fog Point
- Good Company
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
- Inca Social
- La Côte d’Or Café
- Lebanese Taverna
- Maison Cheryl
- Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
- Mattie & Eddie’s Irish Bar and Restaurant
- Mussel Bar & Grille
- P.F. Changs
- Punch Bowl Social
- Queen’s Mother’s
- The Renegade
- Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
- Salt Line
- SER Restaurant
- Sfoglina
- Smokecraft
- Spice Kraft Indian Bistro
- Stellina Pizzeria
- Superette
- Sushi Zen
- Thai Select
- WHINO
- Yayla Bistro
- Yume Sushi
A map of the restaurants is below.
The annual summer Restaurant Week is a week away.
The regional event will be held between Monday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 21 and is currently set to feature nearly a dozen Arlington restaurants.
During the event, the participating restaurants are expected to offer lunches for $25 and dinners for either $40 or $55.
The participating Arlington restaurants include:
- Big Buns Damn Good Burgers (Ballston and Shirlington) — serving burgers, burger bowls, cocktails, shakes and fries. Menu not yet released.
- Epic Smokehouse (Pentagon City) — will offer a three-course meal, charging $25 for lunch and $55 for dinner.
- La Cote d’Or Café (East Falls Church) — three-course menus of traditional French cuisine, priced at $25 for lunch and $40 or $55 for dinner.
- McCormick & Schmick’s (Crystal City) — a seafood restaurant that offers a $55 dinner option. Menu not yet released.
- Mussel Bar and Grill (Ballston) — a Belgian restaurant offering three-course menus at $25 for lunch and $40 for dinner.
- Osteria da Nino (Shirlington) — three-course meals of Italian cuisine, priced at $40 for dinner.
- Ruthie’s All-Day (Arlington Heights) — the award-winning restaurant that specializes in Southern cuisine will offer $40 and $55 dinner options. Menu not yet released.
- SER Restaurant (Ballston) — three-course meals of Spanish cuisine, priced at $25 for lunch and $40 for dinner.
The Freshman (Crystal City) – a café that serves bar food, sandwiches and pastas. Menu not yet released. - The Melting Pot (Ballston) — three-course menus of fondues, priced at $40 for dinner and $5 extra per person for a chocolate fondue.
- Yume Sushi (East Falls Church) — five-course menu of Japanese cuisine for $55 per dinner.
Some of the restaurants listed above are pairing their meals with wine or cocktails. All the eateries, except The Melting Pot, offer delivery, takeout or outdoor spaces in addition to indoor dining.
Organized by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, which also hosted the RAMMY awards, the event is sponsored by public and private groups, such as the D.C. Mayor’s Office, the National Landing Business Improvement District and Airbnb, according to its website.
Over 200 restaurants from the D.C. metropolitan area are participating this year, according to a RAMW tweet.
This week was yet another filled with plenty of news about snow, but unlike previous January weeks not a lot of actual snow.
Using its last traditional snow day allotment, Arlington Public Schools closed Thursday for what turned out to be a bust — a rainy, cold day. Lucky for students looking to enjoy the weather when school’s closed, this weekend should at least be sunny, albeit a little cold, in Arlington.
Now, here are the most-read Arlington articles of the past week.
- Feds release new details about Jan. 6 weapons cache at Arlington hotel
- JUST IN: Winter Weather Advisory issued ahead of Thursday morning snow
- BREAKING: APS closes schools Thursday due to expected snow
- Morning Poll: Should APS continue to require masks in schools?
- The shift from rain to snow delayed in Arlington, NWS decreases possible accumulation
- Guaranteed income pilot program moves forward without any county funding
- NEW: Covid cases falling in Arlington, following regional trends
- Winter Restaurant Week to feature 18 Arlington restaurants
- ‘Old Lee Highway’ gets new name: Cherry Hill Road
- JUST IN: APS says masks still required for students, despite Youngkin’s order
Feel free to discuss those stories or anything else of local interest in the comments. Have a great weekend!
Eighteen Arlington restaurants are participating in this winter’s Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week from Jan. 17 to 23.
As in the past, there are usually three different tiers of menu: lunch or brunch, dinner, and a higher tiered dinner menu. More information and most menus are available on the event’s website.
With Covid cases continuing to break records, many local establishments are offering their restaurant week menus for take-out and delivery, in addition to dine-in options.
The Arlington restaurants listed as participants are below, sorted by neighborhood.
Arlington Heights
- Ruthie’s All Day is participating, but hasn’t yet posted its menus online. This year-old restaurant was recently one of America’s “best neighborhood gems” by OpenTable.
Ballston
- Mussel Bar and Grille, a Belgian restaurant that opened in 2013, is offering a three-course, $40 dinner menu.
- Rustico is offering a three-course, $40 dinner menu, along with cocktail and wine pairings. There’s also take-out and outdoor dining available.
- SER Restaurant is offering a three-course, $25 lunch menu and a $40, three-course dinner menu with $15 wine pairings.
- The Melting Pot is offering a three-course lunch menu for $25 and a three-course dinner menu for $40 per person. For an extra $5, get chocolate fondue.
- The Salt Line in Ballston, which opened in October, is offering a two-course lunch menu for $25 and a three-course dinner menu for $40. The heated outdoor patio space is available for dining.
Clarendon
- Spice Kraft Indian Bistro is offering special Pongal Festival menus, a five-course vegetarian meal for two for $45 and a non-vegetarian meal for two for $55. There’s also special wine and cocktail pairings. The menus are available for take-out and delivery.
- TTT Clarendon is offering a lunch for $25 that comes with a protein, two sides, and a dessert and a dinner for $40 that comes with all of that plus a margarita.
- Ambar, known for Balkan cuisine, has an “unlimited plates” lunch option for $25 and a dine-in option for $55. Plus, a take-out option for two for $60 or, add in a bottle of wine, and get it for $70.
- Lyon Hall on N. Washington Blvd is advertising that it’s participating, but has not posted menus or specials as of publication.
- The Liberty Tavern is participating, but has yet to post menus online.
Crystal City
- Crystal City Sports Pub, which narrowly avoided a fire last month, is doing a three-course menu priced at $40 for one or $70 for two people. There is outdoor seating and the menu is available for take-out.
- McCormick & Schmick’s on notes it is participating, including with take-out options, but no menu has been posted as of publication.
East Falls Church
- La Côte D’Or Café, known for offering a “healther side of French cooking,” is offering both a brunch and lunch, three-course menus for $25, and two, three-course dinner menus, one at $40 and one at $55.
Pentagon City
- Matchbox is offering a $40, three-course dinner and outdoor seating remains available.
- Epic Smokehouse on S. Fern Street is offering a $55, three-course dinner with wine and cocktail pairings.
Shirlington
- Osteria da Nino, which opened in 2016, has a $40 three-course dinner.
- Big Buns in Shirlington (as well as its location in Ballston) is offering $25 lunch and $40 dinner menus, all available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery.
For the third year in a row, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is hosting Arlington Restaurant Week. All participating restaurants, bakeries and bars will offer discounts from Monday, Oct. 18 through Monday, Oct. 25.
Discounts will vary based on the restaurant, and some may offer discounts for both dine-in and carry-out options. Restaurant Week menus will be available on the chamber’s website.
“The Chamber is excited to have more than 40 of Arlington’s best restaurants already signed up and ready to showcase the diverse cuisine of Arlington,” said chamber CEO Kate Bates.
The current list of participating restaurants includes:
- 15 & Eads
- Ambar
- Ballston Local
- Bayou Bakery
- Bell20 Restaurant
- Celtic House
- Colony Grill
- Colony House Bar + Kitchen
- Copa Kitchen & Bar
- Delhi Dhaba
- Domino’s
- Fire Works Arlington
- Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant
- Good Company Doughnuts
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
- La Bettola Italiano
- La Côte d’Or Café
- La Moo Creamery
- Lebanese Taverna
- Los Tios Grill
- Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery
- Mala Tang
- Mussel Bar & Grill
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Olive Lebanese Eatery
- Potomac Social Tavern
- ROCKLANDS Barbeque and Grilling Company
- SER
- Sidekick Bakery
- Slapfish
- Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
- Spice Kraft Indian Bistro
- Superette
- Sushi-Zen
- Sweet Science Coffee
- Tacos and Pina
- Ted’s Bulletin
- Thai Select
- The Freshman
- Top Thai Restaurant and Sushi
- TTT Clarendon
- Union Kitchen
- WHINO
As it did last year, Amazon is sponsoring the event.
Bates says the chamber is eager to connect hungry locals to unique eateries across the county, especially as we emerge from the pandemic.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to support and highlight the local restaurant community and its importance in Arlington,” she said.
‘Open Schools’ Signs Also Being Stolen — “The debate over whether kids should be learning in or out of schools is getting ugly in Arlington. So much so, dozens of signs that said ‘Open Schools Now’ have gone missing. ‘Some of them have gotten stolen and neighbors have found them in trash cans,’ parent Russell Laird said Friday, standing near 100 new signs that had just been delivered. ‘I told people, keep count of how many were stolen, come back with double.'” [Fox 5]
County Getting More COVID-19 Aid — “The Arlington County Board today accepted more than $3 million dollars in additional federal aid to support low-to-moderate-income residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aid included more money for housing vouchers and funding for a range of relief programs to support families and small businesses.” [Arlington County]
Restaurant Week Starts Today — “Arlington Restaurant Week will run from October 19-26. During the week, diners can try set menu items from many local restaurants, at a discounted price. The idea is for diners to find a new to-go place for dining out.” [ARLnow]
W&OD Trail Detour Shifting — “The current W&OD Trail detour route just east of Lee Highway (Route 29) will be shifted for about two weeks beginning October 19 to allow additional construction activity. Crews will reconstruct sidewalks on Lee Highway, the Econolodge entrance on Fairfax Drive, and nearby curb ramps on Lee Highway. Trail users will be directed to a new sidewalk and trail adjacent to the new trail bridge during this detour.” [VDOT]
Gutshall Posthumously Honored By Chamber — “The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the late Erik Gutshall is our 2020 inductee into the Arlington Business Hall of Fame.” [Arlington Chamber of Commerce]
Local Church Gets Big Donation — “Today, Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church in Arlington received 40 pallets of toiletries and household products worth $250,000 from @FoodForThePoor. They plan to give away the items during their weekly food distribution and through the parish thrift store.” [Arlington Catholic Herald/Twitter]
AED Wins Prestigious Awards — “Arlington Economic Development took home numerous honors at this year’s International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2020 Excellence Awards, which were announced earlier today at the organization’s annual conference. AED’s programs and partnerships were recognized for Economic Excellence in several categories.” [Arlington County]
Arlington Chamber of Commerce is organizing its second annual Arlington Restaurant Week later this month.
Arlington Restaurant Week will run from October 19-26. During the week, diners can try set menu items from many local restaurants, at a discounted price. The idea is for diners to find a new to-go place for dining out.
“The Chamber is thrilled to celebrate and showcase the diverse restaurant scene in Arlington through hosting the second annual Restaurant Week event specifically for the Arlington community,” said Chamber President Kate Bates. “Now, more than ever, restaurants need our support… We are proud to support and highlight the importance of the entire local restaurant community, particularly during this trying time.”
The current list of participating restaurants includes:
- Ambar
- Bonefish Grill
- Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant
- Colony Grill
- Copa Kitchen & Bar
- Fire Works Pizza
- Good Company Donuts & Café
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
- La Moo
- La Côte D’or
- Potomac Social
- Rien Tong Thai
- SER
- Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
- Rocklands Barbecue
- Thai Select
- TTT Mexican Diner
(Colony Grill, as we reported yesterday, is planning to open Oct. 14. Potomac Social, on which ARLnow has not previously reported, is the restaurant connected to the Crowne Plaza hotel in Crystal City. Potomac Social opened earlier this year, then closed, and then reopened in August.)
Diners can stay up-to-date on participating restaurants and the event by following the Chamber’s Facebook page or visiting its website.
The full press release about the second annual Arlington Restaurant Week is below.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our second annual Arlington Restaurant Week, happening on October 19-26. Through this event, diners will enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer at special prices. This is a great opportunity for participants to take the week to explore the diverse restaurant scene in Arlington and find a new go-to place for dining out.
Now, more than ever, restaurants need our support. Arlington Restaurant Week is designed to help local restaurants gain exposure through extensive media promotion and to attract new patrons through experiencing their food. This event runs differently from your average Restaurant Week in that it is open to all restaurants from fast-casual spots to five-star dining establishments. Restaurants pick their own price point, market their menu on our website, and offer both dine-in and carry-out options. The Chamber is pleased to offer free participation for member restaurants, courtesy of our sponsors.
“The Chamber is thrilled to celebrate and showcase the diverse restaurant scene in Arlington through hosting the second annual Restaurant Week event specifically for the Arlington community,” said Kate Bates, President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. “This event offers participants the opportunity to try a variety of dining experiences and culinary options at discounted rates, and in return, restaurants gain exposure and are able to expand their customer base. We are proud to support and highlight the importance of the entire local restaurant community, particularly during this trying time.”
The current list of participating restaurants and their menus can be found here. Visit the Chamber’s website and follow the Arlington Restaurant Week event page on the Chamber’s Facebook to keep up-to-date on the event. Diners are encouraged to further support the restaurants by posting a picture of their dining experience to social media. Make sure to tag the location, tag the Chamber @ArlVAChamber, and use the hashtag #ArlRestaurantWeek.
RBG Buried at Arlington National Cemetery — “The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was buried at Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Supreme Court confirmed that she was laid to rest and said it was a private service. She was set to be buried alongside her husband, Martin David Ginsburg, who was buried there in 2010.” [WJLA]
DCA Work May Cause Traffic Delays — “Beginning on or about Thursday, October 1, portions of the Terminal B/C Ticketing (upper-level) roadway will close for work related to Project Journey. At least two vehicular lanes will remain open as the construction areas periodically change.” [Press Release]
Police Investigating Lyon Park Attack — “As the parties exited the business, the dispute continued and became physical. The suspect waved a knife at Victim One, who then fell to the ground. The suspect kicked her, at which point a second victim attempted to intervene, but was struck with the knife by the suspect. The suspect then fled in a vehicle.” [Arlington County]
Cristol Joining New Equity Program — “Arlington County Board Member Katie Cristol has been named one of 14 Southern elected leaders who will form the inaugural class of E Pluribus Unum (UNUM) fellows. The program is designed to equip Southern leaders with resources that advance racial and economic equity within their communities.” [Arlington County]
Ballston Hosting Local Restaurant Week — “You’re invited to sip and savor your way through Ballston. Join our neighborhood’s Sip & Savor Restaurant Week. From October 1st through the 4th, support your favorite restaurants and eat local!” [Ballston BID]
More than two dozen Arlington restaurants are participating in Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week starting today.
The two-week event, held between August 17-30, is organized by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). During the event, restaurants from across the region offer 3-course lunches for $22 per person and 3-course dinners for $35 or $55 per person (some also offer a 3-course brunch for $22 per person).
The latest Restaurant Week encourages diners to order their meals to go directly from each respective eatery, though most places also have outdoor or indoor seating available at limited capacities.
Menus and pricing are specific to the Restaurant Week event, and some menus include cocktail or wine pairings with a meal.
Among the Arlington restaurants taking part:
- Ambar Clarendon: Modern European; Lunch and $35 dinner
- Athena Pallas: Greek; Brunch, lunch and $55 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Big Buns Damn Good Burgers in Ballston and Shirlington: American; Lunch and $35 dinner
- Cava Mezze – Clarendon: Mediterranean; $35 dinner
- Epic Smokehouse: American, Barbecue; Lunch and $35 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Extreme Pizza: Pizzeria; Lunch and $35 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Federico Ristorante Italiano: Italian; Lunch and $35 dinner
- Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant: American; Brunch and $35 dinner
- Highline RxR: American; $35 dinner
- Jaleo Crystal City: Spanish; Lunch and $35 dinner
- La Bettola Italiano: Italian; Lunch and $35 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- La Cote d’Or Cafe: French; Brunch, Lunch and $35 dinner
- Los Tios Grill: Tex-Mex; Brunch, Lunch, $35 dinner and $55 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- McCormick & Schmick’s — Crystal City: Seafood, Steak; Lunch and $35 dinner
- The Melting Pot – Arlington: Fondue; $35 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Mussel Bar and Grill: Belgian, American; $35 dinner
- Open Road – Rosslyn: American; $35 dinner
- Osteria da Nino: Italian; $35 dinner
- Pamplona: Spanish; $35 dinner and $55 dinner
- Peruvian Brothers at the Stand: Peruvian; Brunch, lunch, $35 dinner and $55 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Portofino: Italian; $35 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co. – Arlington: Barbecue; Lunch and $35 dinner
- San Antonio Bar and Grill: Tex-Mex; Lunch and $35 dinner
- SER Restaurant: Spanish; Lunch, $35 dinner and $55 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque: Barbecue; Lunch and $35 dinner
- Taj of India: Indian; Brunch, Lunch, $35 dinner and $55 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
- TTT Clarendon: Mexican; Lunch and $35 dinner; Paired wine or cocktail offered
Image via RAMW
Scooters May Be Allowed on Arlington Sidewalks — “The Board voted unanimously to advertise a public hearing at the Nov. 16, 2019 County Board Meeting to consider proposed regulations of shared mobility devices. The proposed revisions include allowing the [scooters] to be used on County streets, sidewalks and multi-use trails and putting in place a permit fee structure for private companies offering the devices. During the pilot program, the devices have been prohibited on County sidewalks.” [Arlington County]
Clarendon Cafe Rebrands as ‘Three Whistles’ — “CoworkCafe founder Ramzy Azar rebranded the space this week. In addition to a new name, Three Whistles (2719 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia) has a new look and a new menu. Azar expects to roll out a menu full of Mediterranean small plates in the next few weeks. He says sharable dishes help create the feeling of a gathering place.” [Eater]
Arlington Man Sentenced for Gun Smuggling — “An Arlington man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in the trafficking of firearms to his native country of Honduras. According to court documents, in October 2018, Chris Rodriguez, 57, attempted to smuggle a firearm and 247 rounds of ammunition out of the United States, concealed in a bucket of roofing tar destined for Honduras.” [U.S. DOJ]
‘Verizon Site’ Building OKed — “Crystal City’s Verizon site will be redeveloped with a 19-story apartment tower within walking distance of Metro that will include 12 affordable housing units… The [County] Board voted unanimously to approve the vacation of a portion of the right-of-way for Old South Eads Street, a rezoning and site plan amendment for the proposed redevelopment.” [Arlington County]
Amazon Avoids Donating to Arlington Pols — “Amazon.com Inc. just sent $23,000 in campaign contributions to a total of 26 Virginia lawmakers, resuming its political giving in the state for the first time in months as a crucial statehouse election draws near… it only sent checks to six lawmakers in Northern Virginia (and did not send money to a single politician representing Arlington).” [Washington Business Journal]
DMV Select Staff Fights Fraud — “Three members of [the Commissioner of Revenue’s DMV Select office] staff (Isaac Kateregga, Ahmad Abdalla and supervisor Michelle Neves) recently were honored by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in Richmond. They were presented with ‘Fraud Busters’ awards for their work in disrupting efforts to commit misdeeds… [involving] title fraud.” [InsideNova]
Reminder: Arlington Restaurant Week Kicking Off — “Arlington Restaurant Week, organized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, will run from October 21-28. Diners can visit a number of Arlington restaurants offering special menu items at discounted prices.” [ARLnow, Arlington Chamber of Commerce]
Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman
Arlington County its getting its own Restaurant Week later this month.
Arlington Restaurant Week, organized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, will run from October 21-28. Diners can visit a number of Arlington restaurants offering special menu items at discounted prices, according to a press release.
There are currently 20 or so restaurants expected to participate, including Jaleo, SER, and Bistro 1521.
Previously, the Chamber partnered with regional groups for the Northern Virginia Restaurant Week and Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week.
However, Arlington Restaurant Week uniquely gives participating restaurants the option of setting their own price points and menus instead of the traditional, fixed $35 dinner course and $25 lunch.
“Flexibility is really important for our restaurants, so this gives them the opportunity to really showcase what they want,” said Arlington Chamber of Commerce President Kate Bates. “For example, Heidelberg Bakery will be doing speciality breakfast sandwiches, and across the board it’ll really range from bundled three-course meals to maybe a speciality dish.”
The Chamber has sent invitations across Arlington for all restaurants to participate, and will be continuing to follow up, Bates said.
For SER owner Javier Candon, the Arlington-specific celebration gives him the chance to get to know customers who might not venture out otherwise.
“Keeping it local, it encourages people who don’t go out as often during the year to have a different experience,” said Candon. “We still don’t have our menu finalized yet, but expect it to be high-quality and highly discounted.”
So far, participating restaurants include:
- Ambar
- Barley Mac
- Bistro 1521
- Bonefish Grill
- Buena Vida
- Cityhouse
- Cookology
- Copa Kitchen & Bar
- Good Company Donuts & Cafe
- Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
- Jaleo
- La Côte D’or
- The Melting Pot
- Rhodeside Grill
- Rustico Ballston
- SER
- Slapfish
- Sushi-Zen
- The Vantage Point
The full press release about Arlington Restaurant Week is below, after the jump.
