Food halls, it seems, are the new thing, and the planners behind Ballston’s massive mall makeover are gearing up to unveil just such a dining destination, featuring 18 restaurants and spanning a total of 25,000 square feet. Slated to open in September 2018, the Quarter Market food hall will feature a bevy of fast-casual options, many of them locally-grown from popular food trucks and start-ups in the greater Baltimore-Washington area. Among those on board so far are Buredo, a D.C. favorite specializing in sushi burritos; Pinch Dumplings, a Baltimore outfit that’s been serving its scratch-made Asian-style dumplings at Nats Park; and Timber Pizza Co., the Petworth upstart recently named one of the “50 Best Restaurants in America” by Bon Appetit, whose wood-fired pies include toppings like chorizo and sweet-potato fritters.
Plans for Quarter Market are beginning to gel just as Mike Isabella is set to open his own food hall, Isabella Eatery, in Tysons Galleria this month.
Meanwhile, the restaurateurs behind Pamplona and Bar Bao in Clarendon have also announced plans for a forthcoming food hall in Rosslyn called Common Ground. They are currently using The Stand, a Crystal City pop-up, to test drive new dining concepts and potential vendors.
In Ballston’s Quarter Market, the dining options will be clustered around a 5,000 square-foot plaza, accessible via a walkway off of Wilson Boulevard, with patio seating (there’s an indoor dining area, too). Ballston Quarter will also include 364,000 square feet of retail space and a new, 406-unit residential building with a rooftop pool and a dog park.
“Quarter Market will bring together some of the District’s most original, best-in-class food operators, giving them the opportunity to tap the incredible market already established in Arlington,” Deborah Ratner Salzberg, president of Forest City Washington, the developer behind Ballston Quarter, said in a press statement.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the other restaurants on board to date:
Bartaco, a modern Mexican restaurant, featuring upscale street food such as pork belly, duck or falafel tacos, and cocktails.
Cucina Al Volo, an Italian eatery specializing in homemade pastas, such as pappardelle with roasted lamb ragu and ossobuco risotto.
Ice Cream Jubilee, voted one of the “Best Ice Cream Shops in America” by Food & Wine Magazine, with flavors such as coffee & doughnuts and banana-bourbon-caramel.
Mi & Yu Noodle Bar, serving non-traditional ramen and steamed buns.
Rice Crook, a spinoff of Bun’d Up, a Korean food stand, serving steamed buns and rice bowls.
Swizzler, a D.C. food truck concept known for its corkscrew-shaped hot dogs and interesting toppings.