Clarendon Nights

Seven salsa dips at Lime Fresh

I had a great dining experience at Clarendon's newest restaurant Lime Fresh. Located on Fillmore Street, the small Mexican diner is filled with staff that seem like genuinely nice people. The food is decilious and already has recieved rave reviews from the local bloggers.

The warm tortilla chips and vast array of dipping sauces was a nice start to the warm and group friendly tables in the rear. Typcially patrons order first and pay at the cashier, then the food is delivererd to your table and it then becomes full service. Since we arrived so late, our waiter decided to take our order from the table and was very helpful in choosing our dishes. I will definately be back!

Eventide's Odd Bar in Clarendon

One of my favorite local restuants Eventide recently underwent a moderate redesign. Now dubbed Odd Bar, the interior of Eventide's first floor has been redone to facilite more social interactions with standing-height tables and additional room to move around. The decorations are more industrial-modern, and it seems they are trying to appeal to a younger crowd with the addition of several TVs playing sports channels. The second and third floor have remained unchanged.
 
Eventide also includes a new dishes designed by Executive Chef Adam Barnett. Odd Bar’s menu features classic American fare with a twist like Buffalo Chicken Wings marinated in a slightly south of Buffalo sauce and blue cheese fondue, and new bistro plates like Steak Frites, teres major steak with herb butter and steak jus; Potato Gnocchi with roasted mushrooms and lemon hollandaise; and Virginia Sea Bream with broccolini in a brown, butter sauce.

My favorite features of Odd Bar are their happy hour sepecials until 7pm weekdays: a burger & draft beer for $15, Bucket of fries for $3 or The Bronx cocktail at $5.50.

This Thursday Feb 2 Mad Rose will be full of live bands rocking the night in retro style. VA Stripper will open the show at 9pm with '90s rock and a few original songs. Then at 10:30 The Vandelays cover band goes on stage, playing modern rock songs ranging from 311 to Outkast. Local Pearl Jam tribute band Brains of J will then go on stage around 11:30pm and close out the night.

Eleventh Street Lounge closed today

Eleventh Street Lounge closed today, as they are moving out in preparation for the 10 story office building that will be constructed around it. Today the bar was unusually packed and loud throughout the day as locals came by to get one last drink.

The hostess did tell me that Eleventh's owner has found a new location, and Eleventh might relocate there soon. Also the current development plans will leave the buildings that house Eleventh and Potomac Crossfit in tact, so the bar might be able to return to Clarendon after construction is complete.

If Eleventh does make a come back, it may look different as most of the interior and decorations were sold online today at a Rasmus auction. I wish I had grabbed up a chandelier or set of draperies!

Dr Wino serving wine tastings to Clarendonites

• Seeker Sauvignon Blanc $14.99
• Lobster Gruner Veltliner $13.99
• Obvio Malbec $8.99
• Avery Quinn Cabernet Sauvignon $13.99

Screwtop is hosting another wine tasting for Valentine's Day next month, on Feb 11th from 3-5pm. This Sweeetheard Wine Tasting features 16 wines, chocolates, cupcakes, and take homes for $50.

The announcement that corner block of Highland and Washington will eventually be demolished to make room for a 10 story office building has made me and my fellow Clarendon bloggers sad, as we will be losing a favorite late night hotspot Eleventh Street Lounge.

This has inspired me plan a bar hopping night to some local Clarendon venues that are either closing or might leave us soon:

1. Eleventh Street Lounge

Eleventh Street Lounge

As soon as I moved to Clarendon, the red walled lounge quickly became one of my favorite spots. Upstairs features a warm and narrow modern bar, with a "secret" dancefloor basement that I've gotten many fun memories from. They also used to have free stand up comedy shows in the basement regularly. I also enjoyed their stuffed burgers with mixed sweet potato and golden french fries. Definately a must visit place before they close on Sunday Jan 29. Here's hoping they will be able to reopen a new venue when the 10 story building is complete!


2. Jay's Saloon

Jay's newly felted pool table

Jay's is a long time favorite due to its dive-ish easy going ways, off-the-beaten-path location and half price burger Tuesdays. Even though Jay's states it is not going anywhere until at least 2013, their location next to a series of car dealerships on 10th Street and possible month-to-month lease worries me. I'm excited that they are coming up on their 20th anniversary in Clarendon. Check out their great happy hours from 4 - 9pm on Thursdays.

3. O'Sullivan's

O'Sullivan's

There have been no rumors of O'Sullivan going anywhere, but I listed it here due to their location in front and below of the stalled Zom/USAA planned 10 story apartment building. I'm worried that if construction ever starts, we might lose this Irish pub that features trivia night on Wednesdays, karoke Tuesdays, and live music Thursday to Saturday. This small bar also features a mean bruch special on the weekend.

Last week on Tuesday I just barely made it to Liberty Tavern before their kitchen closed at 10pm, and luckily was able to try out their excellent Restaurant Week menu. Unlike some other participating venues, Everything on their menu was available for the three course Restaurant Week deal. To sweeten the deal, Liberty Tavern has extended their Restaurant Week until January 28! Make sure you take advantage of this deal for their delicious entrees and deserts!

Beet arugala salad	Steak
Swordfish	Chocolate smore cake

Photo via Cavamezze.com

I finally got around to trying out the Clarendon location of Cava Mezze that opened last year. Snuggled between Pinkberry and Restaurant 3 on Clarendon Blvd, it is a cozy little restaurant with lots of warm wood surround the booths and many small tables.

My favorite small plate was the Braised Meatball Sliders, but the best part of the meal was the wine. Every Monday night, Cava offers every bottle of wine on the menu at half price. So I got to sample a $40 Snake Charmer for only $20 that night.

Cava would be better for groups if they had more large tables, as there are plenty of things to talk about and small plates to share that works well with a crowd. Also waiters coming by frequently to light certain dishes on fire next to your table is always good conversation fooder.

Not a surprise that Cava gets four stars on Yelp.



Photo via Rusticorestaurant.com

Rustico's Beer Director Greg Engert is hosting their "beer academy", a monthy beer tasting. Engert provides and talks about six beers to taste. The next one is Saturday Jan 21 from 1-3pm and cost $24.

Photo via Dave Krasinski

Wednesday night was full of rain and action outside of Lyon Hall, as police and fire department vehicles shut down the corner of Highland Street and Washington Blvd. I don't have details on what happened, but someone saw a man carried away on a stretcher from the 7-11 across the street.

Thanks to @amandajewett, @liamkraz and @ReidJoshua for the live updates!

Wing at home running the bar at Hunan

Clarendon's hidden gem Hunan Number One was one of three DC area bars featured by OnTapOnline recently. Known for being full of personality and cheap 32 oz mugs of beer, it's one of the few dive-ish bars left in Clarendon.

OnTap interviewed Wing Tsang, who is the manager and energy behind the family owned venue tucked away on Garfield Street. Every time I've been to Hunan I've seen Wing behind one of the bars, and usually her father running between them refilling the taps. Looking forward to more fun times at Hunan this winter!

Later this month, Crystal City will host their now annual 1K Wine Walk on Jan 14 and 15th. The walk runs from 2-7pm each day and gives walkers 30 different wines to taste through the indoor course at Crystal City Shops. Tickets are $40 here.

The next weekend, the same location will debut the first 1K Beer Walk. The tickets for this Jan 21 & 22nd event are slightly cheaper at $35 each.

Thanks to ClarendonPatch for the flyer

Whitlows is partnering with Arlington Street People Assistance Network (A-SPAN) tonight for a Ugly Sweater party and clothing drive. Happy hour go-ers are encouraged to arrive in the tackiest sweaters possible along with clothing donations. Guests who donate will benefit from drink specials and we have prizes for the ugliest sweater. Here is the list of items Whitlows is hopting to collect for A-SPAN.

Stock photo via uskarokeallianace.com

I've been to Sobe before, and usually walk away dissapointed at both the food and the service. But this Saturday night I had an awesome time due to there weekly karaoke night. Every Saturday night starting at 8:30pm is open mic karaoke and every Friday night is a sing-along karaoke band.

We got there early, around 9pm and Sobe, the often overlooked restaurant next to Mad Rose, was still pretty sparesly populated. This gave us the chance to get good seats near the window with a great view of the amatuer performers.

The diverse crowd started picking up after midnight, with various singers including an office party full of suits,  black guys singing country, white girls singing "Baby Got Back", a 1920s themed dress birthday party, and an older man channeling Sinatra. It was a blast watching all the different groups get up on stange and sing a wide variety of hits.

I definately recommend checking Sobe out late on weekend nights, usually after midnight when the crowd is larger. I would stick with bottled beer when at the bar, as their mixed drinks are very watered down drinks and their wine tasted off.

At Whitlows last May, photo via flowinthedark.com

Local rock cover band Flow in the Dark is returning to Whitlow's this Friday Dec 9. They are a hiphop/mash-up with over 50 hiphop, pop, and rock songs in their reputare, and with four members of the band alternating vocals. Their live show starts at 10pm Friday.

Reading Connection Program Manager Stephanie Berman reads aloud to children

A special happy hour called "Beer for Books" is being held at Front Page to benefit The Reading Connection. From 4 to 9pm on Friday Dec 9, drop by the Ballston bar for $5 wristbands that get you drink and food specials along with a raffle for Front Page bar tab and Pacers gift cards. RSVP on Facebook here.

Downstairs bar

 Recently Harry's Tap Room, one of my favorite places for an upscale beer or fancy brunch, was revamped as Market Tavern. Despite being a "new" restaurant and having some kinks to work out, they offer great beer, wine and food in a cozy atmosphere.

The first floor is the "tavern" which features a familiar bar and free for all tables. The upstairs "chophouse" has more dining tables that are available for reservations. Although their are different menus for each section, I was able to order from either one. Their appetizer breads came with a plate full of fun spreads and spicy veggies.

Sliced NY steak salad

 Their take on a crab cake sandwich was tasty and satisifying, but not quiet as much meat as Clarendon Grill's version. The steak fries are delicious and just the right amount of grease. The sliced New York steak salad was also great, and went well with a dark glass of Malbec.

Crab cake sandwich

They have a massive drink menu, with over 77 wines by the glass and many fun beers offered. Pictured here is the "Old Rasputin" beer, which was dark and foamy like a Guiness black and tan.

I'm really happy about Market Tavern's new look and menu, and look forward to frequenting them again soon.

12 oz Mango Mania Smoothie

South Block on Garfield Street currently is offering 10% off smoothie purchases if you bring a reciept from Trader's Joes. Not only are the smoothies delicious, but it includes one free energy boost supplement.

Also, they are giving out a $2 off coupon for wraps after each purchase. I perfer the "Clarendon wrap", but am looking forward to trying their new "Arlington Rap" wrap soon.

Plenty of steak and cheeses to go around late at night

Besides Goody's, Silver Diner and Hard Times, another late night dining option in Clarendon is Mario's. Located on Wilson Blvd, Mario's servers pizza by the slice, steak and cheese subs and burgers until 2 am weekdays and 4 am Friday and Satruday night.

 I stopped in late last night, and had to wait an unsually long time because there was an order a head of me for a dozen steak and cheeses. You know the food must be good here if local late night work crews frequent it.

I like their steak and cheese, althought my favorite is still the one from Ray's. I have yet to try their pizza, but it gets good reviews on Yelp.