New Restaurant Sets Opening Date in Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA -- Palette 22, a new restaurant with an art theme, will open its doors Feb. 18 at 4053 Campbell Ave. in Shirlington Village, according to a news release from the restaurant.

Owner Alexandria Restaurant Partners is bringing the concept to Shirlington with Corporate Chef Graham Duncan and Executive Chef Antonio Burrell helming the kitchen.

Artist concept

Palette 22 combines food, art and fun, focusing on modern street food small plate dishes with an international flavor. Local art and artists are integrated into the whole dining experience, with painters, mosaicists, photographers and others working during operating hours in dedicated artist workstations.

Most walls are adorned with unique, original, one of a kind artwork, with prices starting at $20, ranging to approximately $250. Workstations will showcase local artists at work, while skilled chefs cook in an open ”studio’” style kitchen, creating fresh and exciting plates inspired from street food, primary around the globe.

The local artists working on site are selected from the regional area to ensure the experience reflects the rich tradition of the greater Washington, DC area as a creative arts destination, and offers meaningful professional growth opportunities for emerging and established artists.

Vibrantly painted surfaces with polished concrete floors, industrial steel elements and inventive use of metals and plywood set the stage for display of the artists’ works. Large vibrant murals adorn two major wall sections, behind the bar, and adjacent to the brick oven, painted by local artists. Additionally, the restrooms each feature unique interior murals; all murals will change on an annual basis to offer guests the opportunity to experience the work of different artists.

The interior of Palette 22 features two main “studio“ areas, with floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap the entire restaurant façade. Upon entering, guests will see a 34-seat island bar with surrounding table seating for another 48 guests.

For more intimate dining, the eastern side of the interior offers an 86-seat dining room that wraps around an open kitchen and brick oven. Artist workstations will prominently flank the main entrance, allowing guests to observe, engage and experience artists at work while they dine. A 36-seat seasonal patio on Shirlington Avenue will offer al fresco dining, weather permitting.

Menu

The restaurant will feature a seasonally driven menu of more than 30 small-plate offerings inspired by street food, culinary traditions, key ingredients and cultural international small plates. Menu prices will be in the $4 to $14 range.

Distinctive dishes include:

• BITES such as Ceviche de Verduras, a vegan ceviche with cauliflower, carrot, avocado, lime, onion, root chips and Avocado Hummus, smoked pepper oil, flatbread;
• STREET EATS, Bulgogi Beef, gochujang marinated short rib, ssamjang, butter lettuce;Spanish Style Grilled Octopus, olive oil, garlic, lemon, paprika, thyme, gold potatoes; and Tacos Vampiros, skirt steak, Serrano rajas, avocado, chipotle salsa, queso cotija.
• BRICK OVEN offerings include Asado de Cordero Flatbread, with roasted lamb, egg, muhammara and Tandori Shrimp, head-on shrimp, masala paste, yogurt, katchumber salad.
• SWEETS round out the menu including: Churros de Chocolate, with hot white chocolate, strawberries; Flan and Apple Empanadas, with wildflower honey ice cream.

Bar Program

Palette 22 will feature a full bar as well as signature red and white Sangria by the glass or the pitcher; also look for:

• unique, original recipe cocktails inspired by art and artists, (including one on draft);
• an extensive wine list of international varietals by the glass or by the bottle;
• and a minimum of 10 draught beer lines featuring seasonally rotating beers from local, regional, and nationally popular craft and small brewers.

Restaurant hours

• Lunch: Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dinner: Sunday through Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Brunch: Saturday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m.

PHOTO of Palette 22 from restaurant’s Facebook page