The Corner Bistro is a hidden little secret that may be the closest thing to a cosmopolitan night life that the suburbs of McLean have to offer. The tapas and wine bar has grown so big that the owners are looking to expand the restaurant after less than a year in operation. One of the main reasons for it’s success is the young, international flavor of the bistro that draws patrons in with the sounds of contemporary European music, bright colors and a broad selection of wines that are served well into the night.
Tapas, a Spanish word, translates into lid. Ages ago, after workers finished for the day they would go to their local bodega for a drink. Innkeepers put a slice of bread atop the drink to keep out flies. Over time, that tradition evolved so that delicacies were also put on the bread, which could be eaten as a snack along with the drink.
The “lid” is off of the Corner Bistro, especially at night. Patrons come from as far away as Arlington to enjoy the atmosphere and social ambiance. Guessing which night will last into the wee-hours, however, is difficult. Certainly the weekends are popular but, according to partner and general manager, Sidney Sakho, “some Mondays we will be open until 1:30 in the morning. I never know, for this reason, we have no hours of operation posted on the door. We go with the feel.” Sakho was raised in Paris and brings a decidedly European flair to The Corner Bistro.
THE FEEL ON A FRIDAY NIGHT can be lively and energetic. Candace Freign lives down the street from the Corner Bistro on Old Dominion Drive and enjoys a quick walk to the restaurant. “This is a great place to come and relax. You can have a drink and have fun but the best thing is that you can actually have a conversation with someone because it’s not too loud. It’s been a nice way to meet neighbors I didn’t even know I had,” said Feign.
“[The Corner Bistro] reminds me of a place you’d find in Arlington but its tucked away here. There are some nights when it’s standing room only or you hang out in front because it’s so crowded. That doesn’t matter though because it, well, it adds to it, you know,” said Freign. The Corner Bistro accommodates 30 patrons seated and can hold about a dozen more standing and milling around.
“We really start getting busy about eight at night. But, it’s unpredictable,” said Sakho. “The nighttime is more hip that the day. Our customers are between 25 and 55, it’s a wide range,” said Sakho. Regulars, he says, tend to come in around 4 p.m. for quick tapas and a drink before heading home.
“There’s no place like this around here. It’s a neighborhood bar so it’s a place people come to share ideas,” said Sakho.
The owners choose the tiny location, next to Le Petite Mistral, as a pilot. “We have to expand some but we will still stay in McLean,” said Sakho. They have already expanded the menu to reflect the tastes of its customers. “At first we started with just tapas but there was no real identity to the place. We now offer more Mediterranean style,” said Sakho. The tapas is divided into three culinary offerings- Spanish, French and Italian.
The most popular tapas offering is the Spanish Piquillo Rellenos de Queso y Setas- stuffed sweet peppers with goat cheese and mushrooms. There are nearly 50 different tapas offerings that emerge from the small, open galley type kitchen in the back of the restaurant.
DRINK SPECIALS ARE NOT LEFT OUT at The Corner Bistro. Cocktails such as Mojito’s, which are highly popular at DC nightclubs, and Chapalas are among the Latin drinks available. Wine and spirits are an important component of the Corner Bistro. Reproduction French posters featuring wines and drinks add to the colorful ambiance at the tiny hide away.
Though the night life at The Corner Bistro is bustling, the day time has a crowd all its own too. “We have a good lunch crowd. People will come with a friend, linger over lunch and enjoy themselves,” said Sakho.
Friends Roger Watson and Stan Silverberg enjoyed a leisurely lunch of wine and shared mussels with fresh herbs and cream sauce. “We’re geezers, we come for lunch,” said Watson. “It’s a nice place to come. The food is good and its close.”
The Corner Bistro is child friendly but hardly ever has children in it. The restaurant is smoke-free. The Corner Bistro is located at 6706 Old Dominion Drive in McLean.