Clarendon Explodes with New Restaurants

With the myriad of construction projects, renovations, new apartments and businesses sprouting up all over Clarendon, it’s only natural that new restaurants are following suit. And what better time to investigate than in the dead of this relentless winter?

Seriously, we are talking about a TON of new restaurants – and such a wide variety of places, too – from Thai food to more pizza, more cupcakes, and more fro-yo/salad hybrids. There's even the rumor of another hookah lounge and a Greek restaurant. Wow! These local entrepreneurs certainly know what they’re doing in keeping Clarendon current for the in crowd.

Mad Rose Tavern - Opening sometime this month

If Arlingtonians love anything, it’s a solid and tasteful tavern-style restaurant. This particular tavern has certainly got its perks and unique spin: we’re talking about Irish, Italian, French and Asian influences; not to mention the extensive beer list, wine list, scotch and whiskey list; small plates; hearty entrees; and even half bottles of wine (I recently requested a half bottle of wine at Silverado...and was served hairy eyeball).

If you take a peek inside its corner residence of 3100 Clarendon Blvd. (at that funky intersection of Wilson and Washington), you can see furniture and boxes still lounging about, with no notice of when they'll be set to open.

Burapa Thai – Opening sometime this winter

Located around the corner from Circa at Clarendon (at 1210 N. Garfield) in one of Clarendon’s newest high-rises. The details on this establishment are a little hard to find – but keep your eyes peeled for its grand opening. The sign is already hanging (and it reads 'Sushi Bar' – another plus), though inside it still appears dusty and mostly empty as of this weekend.

Pete’s New Haven Apizza – Opening sometime this winter

Originally from DC’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, Pete’s pizza slices have been reviewed as some of the best in town (and maybe in the whole country). Sounds pretty outstanding right? This new location will also offer a larger beer and wine menu than their Columbia Heights location.

Bronx Pizza – Opening sometime this winter

Yes, another pizza place (located down the block from Mad Rose, at 3100 Clarendon Blvd.) But this time, we’re talking about New York Style Pizza. Carribbean Breeze owner Mike Cordero is the brains behind this operation that Arlington bar-hoppers are surely going to love – as they plan to be open til 5am! Again, peeking inside this morning, it's relatively bare and dusty in there.

Red Velvet and TangySweet – Both opening sometime this winter

Another cupcakery is coming your way, kids, along with another salad/fro-yo hybrid. The same guy owns these two new hot spots. Red Velvet offers a more petite cupcake as compared to Crumbs softball sized mini cakes, and TangySweet is promising to create a fresh take on a gourmet-salad shop for everyone.

And here are some rumors via Northern Virginia Magazine:

A possible new Hookah Lounge

If any of you have been to that sketchy shopping center with the orange letters in the midst of the Skyline Apartments in Falls Church, you know how necessary this new Hooka Bar/Lounge will be.

Cava – Opening within the next few months

Clarendon’s first Greek Restaurant (Correction: since Aegean Taverna). Being Greek myself, I can’t tell you how excited I am. I think it's fantastic how diverse Clarendon's restaurant scene has become.

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Keep your eyes peeled for any of these new spots to finally open up around Arlington and then give us your feedback. We'd love to hear what you think.

Looking for work? Most of these restaurants have notices on their windows asking for help and looking to hire hosts, servers, busboys, etc. Take a walk on by today and get some more information if you think you might be interested.