Alexandria Restaurant Partners David Clapp and Dave Nicholas announced the January 2016 opening of Palette 22, located in the heart of The Village at Shirlington at 4053 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Virginia. Those visiting the 236-seat restaurant will enjoy modern street food and small plates with international flavor. The restaurant will also integrate local art and artists into the dining experience.
Paul Beckmann of Beckmann Architects is designing the space to be an inviting restaurant, and an open-air creative arts studio where art is believed to be much more than the conventional means of illustration. Palette 22 will serve lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
ARP’s Corporate Executive Chef Graham Duncan is developing the opening menu for Palette 22. He has also tapped Kevin Flores to be the executive sous chef to help orchestrate the kitchen. At Palette 22, guests can anticipate a seasonally driven menu of international small plates with an emphasis on what’s local and in season. Menu highlights will include Ceviche de Verduras, a vegan ceviche with cauliflower, carrot, avocado, lime, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro; Bulgogi Beef, gochujang-marinated flank steak, sesame oil, ginger; Grilled Octopus, Greek-style octopus, olive oil, garlic, lemon, oregano; and Tacos Vampiros, carne asada, serrano-onion rajas quesadilla, hand-mashed guacamole, chipotle salsa, pico de gallo, queso cotija. Prices range from $4 to $14 for small plates.
The design of Palette 22 consists of two main areas, the 34-seat island bar, 48-seat lounge, and the 86-seat main dining room that wraps around an open kitchen that is exposed on three sides. Patrons may also enjoy the 68-seat outdoor patio for dining al fresco, weather permitting.
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. The large storefront windows overlook the center of the Village at Shirlington, and the restaurant’s wide awnings also feature murals on the underside. This unique feature extends the experience of the studio outside.
Throughout Palette 22, artist stations are incorporated into the design scheme allowing it to function as an open-air studio. Some of the art stations are fixed while others are temporary, affording guests the opportunity to watch creations take shape while enjoying their dining experience. Artwork will range from large mural panels, to smaller more personal pieces that may be purchased. Here art includes how things are made, from the paintings to the cuisine and cocktails, engaging all the senses for a delightful and meaningful experience. Palette 22’s chefs perform in an open kitchen, creating dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world, while the bartenders also work in an open cocktail bar, crafting their specialties for each guest’s enjoyment.
