Around Town

Future Rosie’s Tavern in Del Ray asks city for 49 outdoor seats

By James Cullum
Brick building with a black curved awning over an open doorway under construction. Windows say 'Coming Soon' and 'Rosie's Tavern' in white paint.
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The owner of the future Rosie’s Tavern in Del Ray is asking the city to allow for 49 outdoor seats.

The restaurant’s Instagram page says that it aims to open in November at 2018 Mount Vernon Avenue. That’s in the former longtime home of Thai Peppers, which closed over the summer.

An exact opening date has not been announced, and the special use permit application indicates “construction is still underway.”

Owner Jay Portlance is asking the city to allow 49 total outdoor seats — 20 seats in front of the business and 29 in an enclosed patio.

Portlance has been tight-lipped on the project. In his special use permit application, he anticipates up to 200 daily customers and 10 staff members working each day, with proposed hours of 10 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

Portlance also owns the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (1913 Mount Vernon Avenue) and Del Ray Hardware (2003B Mount Vernon Avenue).

About the Author

  • James Cullum

    Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.