Spring is technically still about a week away, but Arlington is already feeling more tropical. Cuba-inspired Colada Shop opens its latest cafe in Clarendon on March 18.
With coastal Caribbean décor, the new outpost at The Crossing Clarendon is the local chain’s sixth and one of its largest. The sand-colored seating is on point, but the showstopper is a bright mural of lush leaves and flowers on a sky-blue wall. Like the murals at the restaurant’s five other DMV locations, it was painted by Dominican artist Kilia Llano.
“This location is going to be very bar-forward, so it has our largest bar,” says Colada Shop founder and CEO Daniella Senior. “As soon as you enter, you’re walking into the bar space. We love how vibrant that neighborhood is and so nighttime-focused, so we decided to basically frame the store in that way.”
Patrons can still look forward to fan favorites such as pina coladas, daiquiris and the Carajillo, “our Latino version of an espresso martini,” Senior says, made with Colada Shop’s signature Havana Blend coffee. But new twists on classics that incorporate other spirits will also be on the menu.
Examples are the Guava Leaf Negroni ($13) with gin, sweet vermouth, red bitter and guava puree; and the Maduro Old Fashioned ($13), made with bourbon, spiced maduro syrup and cascara bitters. Watch for seasonal specials, too—like tamarind daiquiris ($12-$15) with rum, tamarind and lime simple syrup. Or the Cienfuegos ($13-$16), a blend of rum, mezcal, lime and cilantro-chamomile syrup.
Food-wise, guests can dig into plates of arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas) croquetas (two for $4) and spicy cauliflower empanadas with the restaurant’s new La Picanta hot sauce ($3.75).
Some menu items will look familiar to Colada Shop regulars, including the cafe’s signature Cuban sandwich with ham, slow-roasted pork and Swiss cheese ($14.25); guava barbecue pork ribs ($24); and ropa vieja sliders made with Cuban braised beef, cojita cheese, pickled onions and sweet plantains ($13.95).
Senior says she expects the batidos—Cuban-inspired smoothies—to be particularly popular in fitness-focused Clarendon. The $8.95 drinks come in fun mixtures such as Siempre Verde (spinach, avocado, pineapple and coconut water) and Banana Cafecito (cold brew coffee, banana, oat milk, cacao nibs and coconut).
For Senior, the latest shop is close to home. “I honestly really love the neighborhood,” she says. “I’m an Arlington resident, so it really does seem like our core customer is here in a big concentration. Seeing how excited people are makes me very excited simultaneously. I think overall, it’s just going to be a great addition to this community.”
To celebrate the opening of the Clarendon shop, the first 50 customers on March 18 will win a giveaway. Return on March 20 for happy hour specials—$8 cocktails and $2 off beer, seltzer and wine—all day until 9 p.m.
Colada Shop is located at 2811 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington. Hours are Sunday-Wednesday from 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.