Best of Arlington 2020

Rooftop Dining

Photo by Rey Lopez

Want to pretend you’re in Acapulco? This approximately 4,000-square-foot rooftop bar is the tropical-hued capstone of Ivan Iricanin’s La Esquina de Clarendon, a three-part dining concept that also includes (in the same building) taqueria TTT Mexican Diner and the more upscale Buena Vida restaurant, with which the rooftop shares a name and now a menu. Chow down al fresco on ceviche, guac or a 40-dish all-you-can-eat “Fiesta Experience” ($35) and sling back libations like Oaxaca Nights (a combo of mezcal, pineapple, lime, hibiscus and cilantro), all while taking in a DJ-designed playlist and unobstructed city views. This panoramic destination could get even better in 2020. Iricanin says he’s hoping to install a fully retractable awning with rotating panels and glass sides so the space can stay open year-round—even in the dead of winter, when we are most in need of an escape to the beach. –Rachael Keeney

buenavidasocial.club

Other top vote-getters:

Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill

Dogwood Tavern

Don Tito

Whitlow’s on Wilson

Wilson Hardware