ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ballston's newest venue is now open and features all day eats, a lively bar, vibrant lounge and private dining. The Commentary offers both locals and hotel guests the opportunity to enjoy decadent bites, craft cocktails and a gorgeous interior.
Conveniently located in the heart of Ballston, adjacent to the Ellipse Park and situated inside The Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, The Commentary Social House is a new All-American Eatery. Designed by award-winning design firm EDG, with concept and programming driven by Highgate, the social house aims to be a neighborhood hub; with a concept that marries a West Coast vibe with East Coast sensibilities. The space is designed to cater to the community, from groups to solo guests, bringing people together over delicious food and drink, and encouraging conversation and connections through shared experiences. The Commentary welcomes guests seven days a week, serving breakfast to late night eats and everything in between.
"We are thrilled to offer a new and exciting food and beverage program to the city and look forward to welcoming locals and hotel guests alike," said TJ Daniels, General Manager of The Commentary.
The Commentary is an expansive 5,000 square foot venue that is texturally rich and airy, melding together an earth-tone palette with playful materials and hints of blue accents for a fresh and modern look with plenty of personality. Social interaction is the driving concept behind the design.
"Art played an integral role in bringing the concept of social connection and commentary to life through the design. Our team curated and arranged art pieces that circle back to that central concept in a fun, whimsical and unexpected way," said Jennifer Johanson, President and CEO of EDG.
Key art features include oversized wire sculptures of social dining scenes and a focal wall of meticulously placed black and white artwork in the shape of a speech bubble– look closely and each sketch relates back to the idea of human conversation and connection. The space is designed to invoke playful conversation in an inviting atmosphere with lounge seating, communal dining, and a centralized bar. Whether grabbing small bites in the lounge, cocktails at the bar, or a full meal in the dining room, guests can take advantage of the space throughout the day. The bar area seats up to 50, the lounge seats 65, the dining room seats 60, the private dining room seats 30 and the patio seats an additional 30 guests.
"We wanted to create a place to gather," explained Ed Brogan, Vice President of Operations for Highgate. "Somewhere you can start the day off right, collaborate with clients, socialize with business associates and reconnect with family."
The Commentary's culinary program features an 'all from scratch' kitchen with an emphasis on guest's dietary needs with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. The kitchen will be led by executive chef and culinary veteran Bobbie Miller. Breakfast emphasizes healthy comfort foods and lighter option fare for the on-the-go traveler, or perfect for a group business breakfast. The lunch menu offers satisfying American classics for the ultimate power lunch. Happy Hour is a gathering hub over daily drink specials and small bites. Dinner focuses on shareable plates with a West Coast flair and East Coast ingredients..
The beverage program is led by The Commentary's General Manager TJ Daniels who created the cocktail menu inspired by his travels around the globe and features his favorite local spirits– including the signature "District Cup" cocktail made of DC craft gin (Green Hat) paired with London's staple bitter spirit (Pimms).
"We celebrate the local craft distilleries, breweries and wineries from the region, and have created a well-rounded beverage program, complete with really fun and must-try cocktails." Daniels explained.
For more information and reservations visit thecommentaryarl.com or call 703.537.4204. The Commentary is located at 801 N. Glebe Rd. in Arlington's Ballston neighborhood. Follow @thecommentaryarl.
ABOUT HIGHGATE
Highgate is a premier hospitality investment and management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu. Highgate also has expanding presence in key European markets through properties in London, and Barcelona. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has a proven record of developing bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotels.
ABOUT EDG DESIGN
Headquartered outside San Francisco in Marin County, with offices in Dallas and Singapore, EDG has developed dynamic design solutions in the restaurant and hospitality industry for over 30 years. With expertise in branding, strategy and design, EDG presents authentic stories with the power to transform spaces while creating value for owners and operators. EDG is currently engaged with independent hotels, resorts, and destination restaurants around the world.
SOURCE The Commentary
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