Arlington Chef To Open Full-Service Restaurant In McLean In Early 2024

MCLEAN, VA — A new restaurant called Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen is planning to open on Old Dominion Drive in McLean in early 2024.

The full-service restaurant, from the owner of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington, will have a regional American menu using local ingredients along with seafood from the Gulf Coast, Arlington Magazine reported.

The restaurant will be located at 6641 Old Dominion Drive, the space where Assaggi Osteria & Pizzeria was located. The pizzeria closed in December 2021.

“Being in Northern Virginia for 20-plus years, I have been waiting for the right space in McLean to turn up vacant,” David Guas, owner of Bayou Bakery, told Arlington Magazine.

“I’m excited to be opening in McLean and to have my newest venture only 15 minutes away from my gathering spot in Arlington — a community I take pride in being a part of daily,” said Guas, a native of New Orleans.

Guas, who is also a cookbook author, has appeared on TV news and food shows. He has also collaborated with World Central Kitchen.

Planned dishes at Neural Ground will include a wood-fired pork chop and fire-roasted, half-shell oysters with garlic butter.

The name of the restaurant originates from “neutral grounds,” the New Orleans term for street medians where community residents can gather for parades and other events.

Neutral Ground will initially be open for dinner on Tuesdays through Saturdays, FFXnow reported

“I am incredibly excited to be opening in McLean and have my newest venture only 15 minutes away from my Arlington gathering spot, a community I take pride in being a part of daily,” Guas told FFXnow.