PHOTOS BY NAN RYANT
There may be an unprecedented pandemic going on, but that's not stopping some restaurant entrepreneurs from opening their doors in Northern Virginia.
PLNT Burger
Near Old Town, you'll find "Top Chef" alum Spike Mendelsohn opening PLNT Burger Friday at Whole Foods at Carlyle, 1700 Duke St.
The vegan fast-casual eatery serves up a variety of Beyond Burgers, a chili bowl, sweet potato fries, "blooms" fried onions and more. This will be the seventh PLNT Burger in the Northeast.
Starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, PLNT Burger will celebrate its opening with 100 free burgers to the first 100 customers at their counter.
"This will be our lucky store #7, and our team is so excited to serve you! Everyone is trained, our food is prepped and space has been blessed by @rabbishmuel613 as @dckosher!" organizers noted on social media.
PLNT Burger is located in the prepared food section of Whole Foods and you can order ahead in their app.The Alexandria location will also be serving the Tracy O’ Tasty, an oat milkshake tribute to @byanygreens successful 10,000 Black Vegan Women launch.
The focus is on juicy, indulgent burgers, oat milk-based soft-serve, savory snacks and seasonal salads, with a mission to give people the ability to "Eat the Change" with foods they love and crave. PLNT Burger offerings are free of any animal products, "without compromising flavor or experience." They also serve up vegan and Kosher-certified cookies (chocolate chip and carrot-oat-pineapple).
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Care to join the movement? There are openings for a line cook and cashier.
New Pizza Restaurant Opens in Shirlington
Just over the Alexandria border, a new pizza joint, Stellina Pizzeria, will open its doors in Shirlington at 2800 S. Randolph St. by the end of the year, taking the place of Cafe Pizzaiolo. The pizzeria currently can only be found in D.C., according to its website.
Alexandria Living Magazine photo
Stellini Pizzeria in Shirlington
The eatery is the brainchild of longtime friends Antonio Matarazzo and chef Matteo Venini. Their menu nods to the street food of the southern Italian coast with a selection of:
- fried seafood and veggies served in paper cones called cuoppo
- light, flavorful Neo-Neapolitan pizzas with a distinctly crispy crust
- house-made pastas
- creative panini served on signature pizza dough
With a full bar focused on Italian wines, beers and craft cocktails, the restaurant will offer a lively setting for a sit-down meal, in addition to carry-out, online ordering and delivery. A deli counter will sell pizza kits, sauces and pasta.
No word yet on an opening date. Stay tuned.
Over in Clarendon, Colony Grill, an 85-year-old restaurant brand out of Stamford, Conn., opened its doors last week. Known for its family-friendly tavern settings, hospitality and famous “hot oil” bar-style pizzas, the eatery opened at 2800 Clarendon Blvd., the company’s first foray outside of Connecticut and New York.
“Everyone at Colony Grill is extremely excited,” said Ken Martin, the company’s chief operating officer. “During our search, we traveled to dozens of cities and states and we just kept coming back to the greater Arlington area. We absolutely fell in love. It is simply a remarkable part of the country with diverse people who together celebrate their community and enjoy gathering for life’s special moments. We look forward to introducing our unique pizza to the neighborhood and becoming a part of that community fabric for years to come.”
The 5,100-square-foot space will be open daily, from 11:30 a.m. until late closing, offering seating for 170 diners in three distinct areas: 80 in the first-floor dining room, 50 in the bar/lounge, and 50 on the mezzanine level.
In 1935, Colony Grill opened in an Irish immigrant neighborhood in Stamford, Conn. Since then, Colony Grill has become famous for what is now its only menu offering: a one-of-a-kind, thin-crust pizza that is best served with its signature “hot oil” topping – a spicy, full-of-flavor, pepper-infused creation which can be ordered with any other combination of toppings.
Pricing for Colony Grill’s pies ranges from $9.50 to $12.95 with options for
Alexandria Living Magazine
Colony Grill Hot Oil Pizza
adding additional toppings or gluten-free crust. A Salad Pie is also available and includes Colony Grill’s signature crust baked with a touch of olive oil and sea salt, topped with hearty mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots, tossed with balsamic vinaigrette. Breakfast lovers will appreciate the restaurant’s Breakfast Pie available exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which features a choice of bacon or sausage, egg, and cheese.
All Colony Grill locations showcase a Wall of Heroes featuring portraits of veterans and first responders. These photographs are submitted by guests to honor the WWII history of the original Connecticut location. Arlington patrons will be encouraged to submit 8 by 10-inch photos of friends, family members or themselves, in their branch of the military uniform, to be added to the collection installed for public viewing.
