Smokecraft Modern Barbecue To Open First Restaurant In Clarendon

CLARENDON, VA — Smokecraft Modern Barbecue’s first brick-and-mortar restaurant is slated to open in Clarendon in spring 2020, the owners announced Tuesday. The restaurant will be located at 1051 N. Highland St. and plans to offer a menu that will push the boundaries of barbecue, owners said.

Smokecraft’s new space is located on the ground floor of a 10-story building owned by KBS, and will accommodate up to 95 diners with seating for an additional 20 outdoors. The menu could potentially feature Pitmaster Marc “Red” Leone’s take on several barbecue favorites, including reverse-seared tri-tip sirloin, smoked duck, chipotle maple cedar plank salmon and smoked spaghetti squash.

The restaurant also plans to serve brunch with offerings include Smokecraft’s award-winning smoked Monte Cristo, slow-smoked pastrami hash and pulled chicken & waffles. In addition to food, the 3,460-square-foot restaurant will feature an expansive bar and late-night specials.

Smokecraft Barbecue is comprised of Leone in addition to owner and operating partner Andrew Darneille. The duo is known throughout the Arlington community for their award-winning barbecue and frequently competes throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

“It’s long been a dream to open our own restaurant, and we are excited to bring our award-winning barbecue to the Arlington community,” Darneille said in a release. “Our goal is to continue to push the boundaries of what barbecue is and can be. This has driven our success… and we’re excited to see what the future holds.”