Love international street food and local art? Then restaurateurs David Clapp and Dave Nicholas are betting you’ll dig Palette 22, their new restaurant and working art studio that’s set to open in January in the former Extra Virgin space in the Village at Shirlington.
Their company, Alexandria Restaurant Partners, is also the force behind Majestic Café and Virtue Feed & Grain in Alexandria.
Palette 22’s global street-food menu by executive chef Graham Duncan will include small plates such as vegan ceviche, bulgogi beef, grilled octopus, and tacos vampiros made with carne asada, all prepared in an open kitchen that’s viewable from the dining room.
But the culinary process won’t be the only thing on display. Designed by architect Paul Beckmann in the garage style of an “open-air creative arts studio,” the 236-seat restaurant will also include fixed workstations for hand-selected local artists, allowing diners to witness their works in progress. Some smaller pieces will be for available for purchase.
Here’s a sneak peek of what the space is expected to look like upon completion.
