Hula Girl Bar and Grill

"A sliver of island life in Shirlington, Hula Girl served its last order of root beer sticky ribs this fall after nearly four years of business. 'All I really wanted to do was to bring Hawaiian food to this area. And I did, for close to 10 years, from the food truck to restaurant,' chef-owner Mikala Brennan said in a sad closing statement. Her colorful eatery can be credited with bringing Spam musubi and poke bowls to the area before they were cool. Bottomless Saturday brunch with $4 guava and passion fruit mimosas was also a hit. The expansive 3,600-square-foot restaurant space will get a new life as Indian restaurant Aroma." - Tierney Plumb

"Hula Girl, which provided sliver of island life in Shirlington for nearly four years, will serve its last order of root beer sticky ribs this month. The colorful, Hawaiian-themed eatery is reportedly being replaced by a CVS." - Tierney Plumb

"Shirlington’s Hula Girl is extending its weekend brunch into Monday with passion fruit mimosas, spicy Bloody Marys, spam and eggs, and banana and macadamia nut waffles." - Adele Chapin

"A guest reviewer has been tracking this Hawaiian-style eatery in Shirlington, Virginia ever since chef and owner Mikala Brennan rolled out her local food truck. “It’s still unique and great Hawaiian food, only better because you can have drinks,” said the reviewer, who had loco moco as well as the pork and cabbage plate lunch." - Lenore Adkins