Rooftop Recess, Arlington’s newest rooftop restaurant and bar, opens Friday, May 16, at 2424 Wilson Blvd. in the Courthouse neighborhood. This three-level venue occupies the former site of Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, which closed in 2023.
“This is a family-owned business,” says co-owner and general manager Brian Ouellette. “We tried to tailor our concept to the young business professional demographic that is very prevalent in this area.”
The restaurant’s name comes from the owners’ whimsical memories of days gone by.
“We were really inspired by the memories of being younger and playing outside with your friends and having a good time and leaving your worries behind,” says Ouellette. “We’re trying to create a really fun and energetic atmosphere for the community to come out and enjoy beautiful weather on the rooftop.”
Ouellette’s co-owner is his father, Gary Ouellette, who also owns Union Jack’s Columbia, a British pub in Maryland. The duo hopes to be open for dinner daily, lunch on weekdays, brunch on weekends, and late-night cocktails.
Rooftop Recess features a main dining room and bar, a mezzanine for private events, and a rooftop bar with seating for 100. The interior boasts a garden-inspired design, creating a relaxed atmosphere for patrons.
“We tried to really lighten things up,” says Ouellette. “We have a really naturally inspired interior, a lot of faux greenery, making the space light and airy — almost a Hampton-esque feel inside.”
The eatery’s menu features highlights like flatbreads, handhelds, pastas, and slow-cooked short ribs. For a sweet finish, try the apple and peach crumble or crispy churro bites.
“It is contemporary American cuisine, everything made in-house, with very large portion sizes,” says Ouellette. The popular fish and chips from Union Jack’s will be included on the menu. “We also have a lot of lighter options, like a delicious burrata bruschetta appetizer, a praline pecan baked brie and some really wine pairings for a beautiful night out on our rooftop.”
The bar menu boasts 17 signature cocktails, including Potomac Tea, a mix of rum, peach brandy, iced tea, and lemonade. There’s also the bold Kentucky Sidecar, made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
“All of our cocktails that we have on our menu are things that many customers would be familiar with,” says Ouellette, noting his personal favorite is the cold brew martini. “We’ve tried to put our own spin on them.”
Happy hour is weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., with specials on draft beers, cocktails, and appetizers. On weekends, there will be a casual brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“We actually have, I believe, the only rooftop in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington,” notes Ouellette. “So we’re hoping that’s going to be a nice little competitive advantage for us.”
Rooftop Recess: 2424 Wilson Blvd, Arlington
Feature image courtesy Rooftop Recess
