Restaurants come and go in our area all the time, and we are here to help you keep track. Check out recent openings that include sweet treats and boozy beverages, plus places to watch out for in the coming weeks.
Now Open
ArTea TeaShop and TeaLab
This McLean newcomer is serving organic signature teas, such as the Kazakh-style Nomad (Assam black tea blended with half-and-half and nutty millet) and the Energy Tea (Earl Grey and coffee mixed with milk), plus cool cups of bubble tea in the usual flavors like mango, matcha and strawberry. Fancy a dessert that doubles as a work of art? Go for the Strawberry Bunny mousse cake or Mango-Passionfruit mousse bunny, which are shaped like, well, bunnies. Or grab a slice of gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free coconut cheesecake on an easy-to-hold popsicle stick. The TeaLab portion of the shop is still to come, but the website promises that it will offer “the opportunity to create your own delicious blends.” Currently operating soft opening hours; check the website to see what they are. // 6635 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Láylí
Occupying the former Bar Ivy spot in Clarendon is a new Mediterranean restaurant with a menu by Chef Samer Zeitoun. Its focus is on modernized traditional Lebanese, but you’ll also notice influences from Turkey and Greece in dishes such as kibbeh nayeh, roasted eggplant, fattoush, falafel and hand-rolled grape leaves. Láylí will also dish up signature items: beef tenderloin shawarma, hummus with duck confit, grilled whole branzino and lamb shank. The restaurant, whose name means “evening” in Arabic, has a vibrant cocktail menu with temptations such as a Spicy Pomegranate Mezcalita made with El Silencio mezcal, pomegranate juice, hot honey syrup, lime juice and sumac. Or try the Pesto Sour with Olmeca Altos tequila, pistachio pesto, lemon and egg white. Opened: June 7. // 3033 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Carnegie Diner & Cafe
The popular cafe with locations in New York City’s Central Park and Times Square District now has a home in Vienna. Not to be confused with the similarly-named but completely unrelated Carnegie Deli, this cafe serves breakfast staples like avocado toast, pancakes and bagels, plus specialties such as a BLT Quinoa Bowl with organic quinoa, chopped bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, organic poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. It’s also open for lunch (hello, pastrami sandwiches) and dinner (pasta, steak, fish and chicken). The restaurant uses specialty beans from Vienna-based Caffe Amouri Coffee Roaster. Its milkshakes—in flavors such as Chocolate Pancake Strawberry and Oreo Cookie Cake—could be a meal unto themselves. Mimosas, bellinis, and Bloody Marys are also available along with wine and beer. Opened: June 5. // 501 Maple Ave. W., Vienna
Taco Zocalo
Barcroft Plaza has a new taqueria serving up authentic Mexican flavors. Chow down on tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas and burrito bowls with sides of Mexican street corn, refried beans and chips with salsa or guac. Birria tacos with shredded beef are available only on Tuesdays and Sundays. This is Taco Zocalo’s fourth NoVa location, with a fifth coming soon to Sterling. Opened: June 4. // 6343 Columbia Pike, Falls Church
T-swirl Crepe
This chain’s Japanese crepes, made with gluten-free rice flour, are now available at Ballston Quarter. Choose from sweet crepes such as Matcha Azuki Bean (sliced strawberries, red bean, matcha custard cream, whipped yogurt, matcha gelato, almonds and chocolate Pocky sticks) and Lychee Romantic (lychees, raspberries, rose custard cream, whipped yogurt, crushed pistachio sauce and crushed pistachio nuts) or savory options stuffed with Thai chicken or scrambled eggs. The Okinawa Hot Dog (with mesclun mix, cheddar cheese, banana ketchup and tofu sauce) and Shrimp Avocado with shelled edamame also sound intriguing. Opened: May 18. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Elli’s Island Tiki Bar
Find this seasonal addition to Rosslyn’s new food hall, Upside on Moore, outside on the patio. The menu, crafted by sommelier and mixologist Elli Benchimol, includes beverages such as the Jungle Goddess (kiwi, melon, lime, orange-melon liqueur, vodka and a hibiscus rum float) and the Ube-Be Colada (coconut and pineapple rums, coconut cream, super pineapple, ube lime, fresh pineapple and orchid). Beer and wine are also available. Stop in Wednesday-Friday from 4-10 p.m. Opened: May 8. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Cornerstone
Columbia Pike just got a little more flavorful with this newcomer to the space formerly occupied by Rebellion on the Pike. The menu is heavy on apps and shareables such as wings, nachos and mini skewers of pesto-marinated shrimp and fried pork belly, but you’ll also find salads and burgers (veggie and beef), and entrees including a 6-ounce flank steak and chicken pot pie. Boasting a pet-friendly patio and upper-level event space, Cornerstone also serves signature cocktails such as an old fashioned with orange and chocolate bitters and the Pike Paloma with basil and lemon. Owners and Arlington Village residents Kathryn and Pete Fejeran (he’s the general manager at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse), have a history with the location. They met there when it was Brickhaus and had their wedding reception there when it was Rebellion. Opened: April 19. // 2900 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
New Offerings
Starr Hill Brewpub
A newcomer to the Capital One Center (although it’s had a spot on the rooftop for a while) is now offering lunch service in the restaurant, starting at 11 a.m. The menu includes all the bar food you might expect, including sliders and nachos, plus some dishes you might not, such as the Mediterranean Orzo Bowl with feta and mint and the Commonwealth Cuban, a sandwich packed with ham, carnitas, pork loin and Swiss cheese. // 1805 Capital One Drive S., Tysons Corner
Stellina Pizzeria
Open since April in the Capital One Center, this pizza joint recently added lunch service. Starting at 11 a.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, you can now get all menu items, including appetizers like Italian fish and chips and beef and lamb meatballs, plus signature pies (Cacio & Pepe, anyone?) and the hamburger panini. Or opt for multiple courses with the Pizza Bento Box special. Available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for $21.95, it includes cannoli, house-made chips, arancini, mozzarella and a personal pizza. // 1610 Capital One Drive, Tysons
Coming Soon
Hyde Social
This casual, laid-back eatery will take over the former Pamplona space in Clarendon. Co-owned by Jay Thomas (aka “Intern John” on Hot 99.5’s “Intern John & Your Morning Show”), Arlington restaurateur Charles Lee and DJ Phlipz, the restaurant is working toward a late-summer opening. // 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Kilwins
The chocolate, fudge and ice cream shop that got its start on Michigan’s tiny Mackinac Island will soon sweeten Clarendon as it continues to open locations nationwide. Choose from more than 75 hand-made products, such as chocolate-covered caramels, cookies and cream fudge, and ice cream flavors such as Blueberry Waffle Cone and Marsh-Mallow S’more. // 3101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Paris Baguette
A location of this national chain will take up residency across from the Clarendon Metro station in The Hartford building later this year. Expect to indulge in cakes (whole or by the slice), baguettes, croissants, sandwiches, salads, and hot and cold coffee and tea. (An outpost of the French bakery has been part of the McLean dining scene for four years at 8344 Broad St.) // 3101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Van Leeuwen
Word on the street is that the New York City-based shop will be scooping its famous made-from-scratch flavors at its first Northern Virginia location any day now. The National Landing storefront will have more than 30 of the brand’s signature flavors, such as Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, Earl Grey Tea and Buttermilk Berry Cornbread, plus custom sundaes, handmade ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats, milkshakes and to-go pints. // 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)
View this post on Instagram
Shut
The Union
The Virginia Square location of this self-described casual fine-dining establishment has closed and is no longer listed on the restaurant’s website. The original McLean location (1379 Beverly Road) appears to still be in business if you need a fix of chicken Milanese, Mumbai panini or Asian Union salad.