For Those With Artful Appetites, WHINO Now Open in Ballston Quarter

Bring your appetite for art when dining and drinking at the new Whino in Ballston Quarter.

This new — and massive — 6,200 square foot restaurant/loft-style art gallery is located on the second floor of the mall space at 4238 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington (with no exterior Wilson Blvd access). The space is actually divided into six distinct areas, including a 25-seat open kitchen bar; a 51-foot craft cocktail bar, and a beverage tasting bar, that can accommodate 11 guests for tastings. Large mural works of art provide each area with its own distinct character.

Along with these large-scale mural installations, WHINO offers guests lowbrow/pop surrealist art for sale while enjoying an interesting menu of sips and shareable small plates. The entire concept comes from Shane Pomajambo, owner of Art Whino gallery, offering guests a way to invest in paintings, toys, digital art, and sculpture while socializing.

The restaurant caters to actual appetites as well, with a seasonal, globally driven menu that delights with offerings like Smoked Octopus with harissa chickpea purée, smoked salt; Prime Dry Aged Beef, with polenta fries, charred endive, and salsa verde; Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi with seasonal vegetables, and Scallop Aguachile, Cape May day boat scallops, tomatillo salsa, serrano, cucumber, black radish, finger lime, and micro cilantro.

“The menu is designed to encourage exploration as small plates afford guests the opportunity to experience more flavor profiles,” said Pomojambo. “In the coming months, we also plan to offer curated beverage tasting events, monthly art shows, and collectible art releases, with items available for purchase at WHINO. To keep things fresh, exhibits will change monthly, and the large murals will rotate, as they will be painted over yearly.”

Opening night featured signings by Dragon 76, an artist who recently finished a mural at the United Nations this year, but the curation of art shows at WHINO will launch with a stable of artists who have worked closely with Pomajambo over the last decade.

WHINO’s hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday, from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily, 24-hour parking is available in the Ballston public parking garage which is located at 627 N. Glebe Road.