Washington-based Neighborhood Restaurant Group opened the second outpost of its beer-focused and farm-driven Rustico Restaurant & Bar in Ballston earlier this month. Across the street from the Ballston Common Mall, the new 260-seat location has a separated bar and dining room, along with a lower-level, semiprivate dining room that can seat as many as 25 guests.
While the dining room is outfitted with a range of light-colored salvaged wood, the bar takes on an industrial feel with a curved, metal-plated bar and beer freezer, and the entire space is lit by more than 50 handcrafted metal light fixtures created by lighting artist Rick Singleton.
Overseeing the beer program is beer director Greg Engert, who assembled an eclectic menu of 443 brews. Among the choices are 400 bottles that represent both American craft beers and imported artisanal selections, along with 40 drafts, half of which will rotate weekly, and three cask ales. Chef Steve Mannino helms the kitchen, both in Ballston and Alexandria, with a seasonal menu that focuses on local ingredients. Among the offerings are Mama Mannino’s ricotta doughnuts, brown-sugar-braised short rib, and butternut squash agnolotti.