New Clarendon Restaurant coming: BABA

PHOTO: Courtesy of BABA

Since moving back to the Washington, D.C. area, I have been trying my best to experience all the new restaurants popping up but it's been a real challenge since there are so many. Inevitably, because my life is just so crazy-busy right now, I just end up making lists of places I want to go to and one of restaurants on my list is the 56-seat BABA.

Located in Arlington, Virginia (over near the Clarendon Metro stop by my house), the newcomer is just below Ambar, the Balkan restaurant recently designed as D.C.'s favorite restaurant by TripAdvisor.

BABA, also Balkan, translates to "grandmother" and, apparently, this new gathering place wants everyone who comes in to feel the warmth and welcoming comfort of visiting grandma’s house married with a chic modern comfortable vibe. Tapas style small plate offerings and craft cocktails plus morning coffee for those heading into work. Opening at the end of this month, hours are 7:00 am for coffee, sandwiches and lunch starting at 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, before pivoting to dinner with a DJ on the weekends.

PHOTO: Courtesy of BABA

Esteban Ordonez was tapped to be the mixology consultant for BABA. Ordonez is the principal mixologist and managing partner for International Cocktail Group, a North American based consulting firm that specializes in creating and managing cocktail/beverage programs and spirits driven events for the hospitality industry, as well as luxe private clients. He has quickly risen in the national and international mixology scene and is best known for helping open Albert Trummer’s famous cocktail mecca, Apothéke in New York City’s Chinatown and the now famous Amaru Pisco Bar in Queens as well as Theater Bar in Tribeca.

Ordonez was also the winner of the National Brand Ambassador and Director of Mixology for Don Q Rum and Serrallés USA. His unique libations have been featured in the New York Times, New York Post, Time Out New York, Rob Report, Market Watch, The Japion, Revista Vanidades, Cosmopolitan Magazine and numerous other publications. Esteban’s cocktails are currently poured at Bleu Moon in Miami, and New York City’s Apothéke, Amaru Pisco Bar, Colors Lounge, Spitzer’s Corner, Yerba Buena Perry and Plein Sud, A Voce Restaurant and The Arthur, to name a few.