Forget the supposed drag of the “dog days of summer”— Metropolitan Washington Summer Restaurant Week is back, with specials running Monday, Aug. 15 and through Sunday, Aug. 21. Find deals at your favorite eateries and discover some new spots to add to your list. Here are a few highlights of what’s cooking in various kitchens in Arlington, Falls Church and the Mosaic District. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit ramw.org/restaurantweek.
2941 Restaurant
Dine with decadence at this Falls Church hideaway helmed by executive chef Bertrand Chemel, with a three-course dinner for $55. To start, choose one of four appetizers, including a king salmon duo (spicy tartare, carpaccio, asparagus tempura). Mains include a Kalbi-style marinated ribeye with potatoes and portobello mushrooms. For dessert, embrace what will likely be several moments of indecision as you consider apricot profiterole, strawberry panna cotta and pistachio gateau. The restaurant is also offering summer cocktails, such as the Gin Garden (hibiscus-infused gin, crème de griotte, cherry-blossom cordial). // 2941 Fairview Park Drive (Falls Church)
B Side
Dive into serious comfort food at B Side. The snug Mosaic District haunt is among the 20 or so concepts under the Neighborhood Restaurant Group umbrella (sister establishments include Rustico in Ballston, The Evening Star in Del Ray and Hazel in D.C., among others). For $40 (dinner only), enjoy one shareable starter, one entree and dessert. Menu highlights include pork taquitos, chipotle buffalo chicken wings, tarte flambee (cacio e pepe, crispy bacon, egg), smoked duck confit and peach shortcake. For drinks, choose from craft brews, local and imported wine, and specialty cocktails such as the Levitating (lunazul, mezcal, apple syrup, lemon). // 8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Buena Vida Gastrolounge
At this recently revamped Mexican food outpost in Clarendon, find lunch for $25 or dinner for $55. Both meals promise unlimited small plates (to be consumed within two hours of ordering), and the dinner menu also includes dessert. Choose from dozens of options, such as tuna ceviche, huitlacoche enchiladas (corn flatbread, salsa verde, corn truffle, chihuahua and goat cheese) plantain croquettes and flan. // 2900 Wilson Blvd. #103, Arlington (Clarendon)
Cheesetique
Snag a three-course supper for $35 at this Shirlington wine bar, which is running Restaurant Week specials all month long. Start with watermelon, feta and quinoa salad, or a trio of chevre truffles served with crostini and micro greens. Continue with any of four entree choices, which include shrimp and grits (bloody Mary cream sauce, grit cakes, tasso ham) and beef short ribs (goat cheese mashed potatoes, asparagus). For a sweet finish, polish things off with chocolate mousse, cheesecake or key lime pie bars. // 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Freshman
Nick Freshman’s eponymously named all-day cafe in National Landing is serving a multicourse lunch for $25 and dinner for $40. Highlights include carrot-ginger soup, veggie pakora fritters with herb chutney, a double cheeseburger on brioche and lemongrass pork spaghetti. Still got room? Consider the brown-sugar bread pudding topped with caramel sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. // 2011 Crystal Drive (National Landing)
The Liberty Tavern and Lyon Hall
The feast will last two weeks (through Aug. 28) at these longstanding sister establishments—both beloved go-to’s in Clarendon. Diners can choose their favorite dishes from each restaurant’s entire menu to build their own 3-course meal ($25 for lunch; $40 for dinner). At Liberty, that means options like crispy Brussels sprouts, smoked chicken wings, wood-oven pizza, seared duck breast and grilled swordfish with succotash. Lyon Hall’s French-Alsatian fare includes mussel pots, oysters, schnitzel and beef Wellington. // The Liberty Tavern, 3195 Wilson Blvd.; Lyon Hall, 3100 N. Washington Blvd. (Clarendon)
Mussel Bar & Grille
Satisfy your hankering for Belgian fare at this Ballston bistro, serving lunch for $25 and dinner for $40. Find cucumber, fennel and apple gazpacho among the starters, white wine mussels as a second-course option, and salted caramel mousse with spiced chocolate and hazelnut brittle in the dessert lineup. // 800 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Ruthie’s All Day
Chef Matt Hill will surely have the smokers fired up at this barbecue-centric local favorite, a 2022 Best of Arlington pick for Best New Restaurant (also crowned “Casual Restaurant of the Year” in this year’s RAMMY Awards). Save your appetite for $40 and $55 dinner menus. Check the Restaurant Week listings for menu details. // 3411 5th St. S., Arlington (Arlington Heights)
Yume Sushi
This Falls Church sushi bar is serving a five-course dinner for $55 that includes a starter; a specialty dish called The Winner; a signature roll; three pieces of a la carte sushi; and a dessert selection, as well as a serving of house beer, wine or sake. // 2121 N. Westmoreland St. A-2, Falls ChurchÂ