Whino

WHINO, is a 6,200-square-foot restaurant, combined with an art gallery on the second floor of the new Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia. This modern open concept venue invites patron to inhabit large-scale mural installations while enjoying craft cocktails, beer, wine and globally inspired social plates. WHINO sports exposed black steel high ceilings, creating a loft like experience. The combination of design elements will provide a fun and refined destination for socializing and dining. Guests will enjoy WHINO’s open floor plan housing six unique areas, including a 25-seat open kitchen bar; 51-foot craft cocktail bar and a beverage tasting bar which can accommodate 11 guests for tastings. To allow the space to flow openly yet be clearly defined, artists were chosen to create full immersion murals. The works of art give each area its own distinctive character and invite diners to become part of the scene. The sharable small plates concept reinforces the social environment of a restaurant/gallery concept. WHINO’s opening menu focuses on a mix of modern dishes that meld American and international flavors and ingredients. The restaurant’s seasonal, globally driven menu spotlights distinctive dishes that vary with items such as Smoked Octopus with harissa chickpea puree, smoked salt; Prime Dry Aged Beef, with polenta fries, charred endive, and salsa verde; Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi with seasonal vegetables, saffron vegetable brodo, grana Padano, toasted hazelnuts, and Scallop Aguachile, Cape May day boat scallops, tomatillo salsa, serrano, cucumber, black radish, finger lime, and micro cilantro. WHINO’s mural installations focus on a new art movement commonly referred to as lowbrow/pop surrealist art, encompassing over 12 genres. From muralism, street art, illustration art and fine art, there is something for everyone to experience. Although it spans a multiple of disciplines, the collections share the theme of pop culture or a reaction to the current vibe better known by the name pop surrealism. The movement arose in the Los Angeles, California area in the mid 90’s from the skate culture with references to underground comix, punk music, and hot-rod cultures of the street. Most lowbrow artworks are paintings, but there are also toys, digital art, and sculpture. The curation of art shows at WHINO will launch with a stable of artists who have worked closely with Pomajambo for the last 14 years such as Woes and Caratoes. WHINO will also be showcasing new artists, who are rising stars such as Dragon76, who recently finished a mural at the United Nations this year. Furthermore, art sculptures of collectibles from around the world will be available for purchase at WHINO. These limited-edition pieces vary in size from eight to 24 inches and prices will range from $50 to $300. New inventory will be released each month as the limited editions sell out at WHINO.