Long-Awaited Noodle House Wagamama Finally Enters the D.C. Market Next Month | Eater DC

"After years of fits and starts, I'm excited that the iconic pan-Asian chain from London is finally opening a 5,100-square-foot Clarendon outpost on Thursday, August 1. Located at 2950 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia, the two-patio restaurant and lively communal dining room will showcase its ramen bowls—featuring grilled duck, spicy salmon teriyaki, and chicken katsu curry—alongside gyoza, donburi rice bowls, curries, salads, and teppanyaki-style sizzling noodles. The space seats 47 outdoors and 131 inside across booths and long tables, and a 17-seat bar will sling potent cocktails (Vietnamese espresso martini, matcha mule, passionfruit paloma) plus hot teas, wine, sake, juices, and Asian beers; SOTO Sake is named as the Clarendon beverage partner. Translated as “naughty child,” Wagamama began in the U.K. in 1992 and has grown to more than 250 outposts worldwide, with this becoming its eighth U.S. location. A grand opening on August 1 at 7:30 p.m. will include passed bites, complimentary drink tastings, an all-night happy hour, Japanese entertainment, and a live DJ (tickets $40 on Eventbrite). Initial hours start at 4 p.m. through the weekend, with daily lunch service beginning August 5 at 11 a.m.; regular hours will be until 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, and the restaurant will be available on most major delivery apps. To engage the active Arlington neighborhood, Wagamama plans partnerships with SoulCycle and local run clubs and will host pop-ups and fitness events through the summer." - Tierney Plumb