Rock Harper Joins Central Union Mission, Plus More Intel

Chef, TV personality and aspiring entertainment mogul Rock Harper is building on his philanthropic pursuits by serving as executive chef of Central Union Mission. The one-time reality cooking star previously lent a hand to DC Central Kitchen, and is excited about again giving back at Central Union Mission. “I want our food to add some self-confidence, gratitude and pleasure to down-and-out-folks’ lives,” Harper said in a release.

The Shutter

The watering holes are drying up in Arlington.

Carpool, a fixture of the Ballston bar scene for decades, finally called it quits on April 3. “Please stop in and say ‘goodbye’ one last time before the taps run dry,” management suggested to supporters via social media in a blast about the plans for closing weekend. The come-as-you-are hangout is expected to relocate to Fairfax later this summer.

The Columbia Pike crowd lost P. Brennan’s on March 31. ARLnow reports that the Irish-themed pub struggled throughout its seven-year-run, never quite living up to expectations. [ARLnow]

Coming Attractions

What’s a shiny new waterfront complex without a Shake Shack? D.C. needn’t worry about that because Danny Meyer is building an outpost of his famed burger stand in The Wharf. The 3,500-square-foot facility is projected to feature an interior mezzanine as well as waterfront seating.

Salad Daze

Lettuce know when things get back to normal, okay, Cava?

[Tierney Plumb]