Seafood-Centric Drift on 7th Has Closed

The Shutter

Shaw seafood spot Drift on 7th has closed just shy of its second anniversary.

“It’s been a great run, but the time has come for our little restaurant to Drift off into the sunset. To all of our many friends we say THANKS!” management of the low-key eatery, which replaced upscale predecessor Fishnet, alerted supporters January 29 on social media. No word yet on what founder Ferhat Yalcin plans to do next.

Expansions

Budding barbecue operation Sloppy Mama’s is spreading to Virginia this fall, joining the ranks of other local restaurants moving into Ballston’s developing Quarter Market Food Hall.

A fixture at Solly’s and now part of Union Market, Sloppy Mama’s plans to open a 200-square-foot stand this September in Arlington serving brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken.

Temporary Shutters

Bethesda Magazine reports that the flagship Bethesda Bagels shop at 4819 Bethesda Avenue has closed for several weeks to modernize but says it expects to return by March (at the latest). The nearly 30-year-old eatery is adding a grill to bolster menu offerings and moving things around inside to alleviate congestion.

PSA

Expansion-minded Neapolitan pizza maker Pupatella does not provide online ordering, and has had to point that out to fans due to some bogus listings online. “Please do not order our food online from any apps or websites, we do not have an online ordering system and all those apps and websites that say we do are fraud,” management posted online over the weekend.