Arlington is back in full swing after the shutdowns and restrictions of COVID. Curbside, dining in or enjoying outside tables. Family dining or elegant special occasion meals—you can find it all. Arlington’s rich diversity has led to choices of strip mall Caribbean chicken, bento boxes and Parisienne dejeuner, pop-off-the-metro Indian and Vietnamese, Italian pizza deliveries, family diners, and food truck pupusas and BBQ. But still best to bring a mask, just in case.
A Micky’s Magic pizza (kalamata olives, sun roasted tomatoes, spinach with mozzarella and a sprinkle of basil) sits hot and ready at the customer pick up adjoining the Lost Dog Cafe in the Westover neighborhood. Lost Dog began in 1985 as a small wine, beer and cheese shop. It now has five restaurant locations in Arlington, Alexandria and McLean where Bulldog, Bow Wow and Fat Molly sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and Lost Dog penne rosa, homemade lasagnas and fettuccini alfredo can pair with a wide selection of beers. All are operated by former employees and members of the Lost Dog family.
Bronwyn McGowen sits just inside the door of Palette 22 on Campbell Avenue at Shirlington Village. She is one of the working artists who sit in residence once a week where she works on her glass creations that line the windows of the restaurant. “The sailboats sell but people really like the abstracts.” Palette opened on the corner of the restaurant strip in Shirlington several years ago. Palette 22 offers small plates tapas-style inspired by global flavors. You can order Moroccan lamb meatballs, short ribs empanada, crispy shrimp tacos, crispy Brussels sprouts with enough to share.
Image CaptTexas Jack’s Barbecue on Washington Boulevard fills up the outside tables on a sunny fall afternoon where customers are sharing brisket egg rolls and crispy smoked wings before digging into their pulled pork sandwich with baked mac & cheese or barbecue burrito with esquites. Texas Jacks also offers a catering service and a private room for parties.ion