Arlington Gets Its Own Salt Line, a D.C. Hit for New England-Style Seafood

D.C. raw bar and sustainable seafood house the Salt Line expands across the Potomac River on Tuesday, October 19, with the opening of an anticipated Arlington, Vriginia, location led by an executive chef from New England. The Ballston offshoot (4040 Wilson Boulevard) brings on popular dishes from the riverfront restaurant next to Nationals Park, including its lobster roll, smash burger, and baked clams.

Executive chef Matt Singer brings on new glistening crudos, a chilled seafood salad with fried artichokes, and crispy octopus. His experience at an Italian restaurant in Boston shows itself in a seared halibut with Parmesan broth and charred broccoli pesto, and a scallop and ’nduja bucatini. Singer will collaborate with Long Shot Hospitality chef and partner Kyle Bailey.

The nautical-themed space splashed with blues and brass has 160 seats spread across an indoor dining room and an open-air plaza. That’s about 40 less than originally planned to space out diners during the pandemic. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight to start, with lunch and brunch coming soon.

A new food hall for downtown Silver Spring

An international food hall called Commas plans to open in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, next spring The second-level space in Ellsworth Place (8661 Colesville Road) will fit 12 to-be-named chefs, makers, and restaurateurs showcasing cuisines from Ethiopia, Korea, Malaysia, El Salvador, Italy, and New Jersey.

Commas/rendering

Foxtrot coming to Logan Circle

Bougie, local-sourcing convenience store and cafe Foxtrot will continue to expand across D.C. with a new market near Logan Circle, reports WBJ. The 2,500-square-foot location takes over the former Barrel House Liquors space at 1341 14th Street NW. The opening is planned for the third quarter of 2022. The delivery app-enabled brand out of Chicago carries everything from local groceries and sunscreen to hard seltzer. Its third D.C. outpost will open soon in Dupont Circle (1601 Connecticut Avenue NW).

Easing Metro woes with happy hour

With Metro backed up all week, Capitol Hill watering hole Union Pub just extended its 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. happy hour through Friday. Featured specials will be announced last minute “just like WMATA does. but our announcements will be good news,” per a sarcastic Instagram post.