Updated: November 14, 2019
A former cook under Patrick Crump used to make a yassa chicken stew that Crump says, “would set me free.”
The Senegalese dish is, for now, on the back burner. The Renegade, the restaurant and live music venue opening on Thursday, Oct. 24 in the former Mister Days space, is already jam-packed with dishes from around the world.
“You can’t swing anything in Clarendon and not get nachos,” says Crump, a 25-year industry vet (Eventide, The Ashby Inn & Restaurant) and currently the executive chef at Clarendon Ballroom. “I wanted to get away from that.”
His casual menu borrows from a dozen countries and regions, from Vietnam to Egypt to Hawaii. Find curried collard greens with coconut milk, roasted harissa chicken, Filipino spring rolls, Egyptian fava bean falafel. Nothing is more than $10, and many of the dishes Crump learned how to cook from watching his fellow chefs over the years.
“This is the food I like to eat and it’s the food I want to share,” says Crump, joking about finally not having to save a slot for chicken tenders on the menu. “I finally got my own place, so damn it, I’m gonna to put curried collard greens on. I”m taking a risk, I suppose.”
The Renegade follows the current all-day-all night trend and will open at 6 a.m. for coffee and pastries. After 9:30 p.m. The Renegade is all about music and is hopeful to fill the void left by Iota Club.
“Everything about this place is geared toward fun,” says Crump, “bands, spicy food … and getting [people] away from their phones and engaging with what’s around them.” // The Renegade: 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
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