Editor’s note: This is not an April Fool’s joke.
Don’t start crying. Stop … stop. Campo Verde ran its course. The kaleidoscope of crazy was amazing and fun while it lasted, but there was no getting all the smoke out of the carpets or the neon cheese off the tables. I realize these are fighting words, but the food at the original restaurant wasn’t good. And I realize people didn’t care. That wasn’t the point. The point was 10 gazillion Christmas lights, a train that choo-chooed continuously around the dining rooms and nostalgia.
The 40-plus-year-old restaurant in Dalworthington Gardens (in central Arlington, notable as the home of Pantera and antsy cops) changed hands a few times over the past few years. Most recently, it was purchased — or saved from itself, depending on your perspective — by chef Moose Benhamacht.
Benhamacht also owns Cafe Americana in Arlington, which blends global dishes in an easygoing, casual-but-elegant setting. I love this spot, especially the happy hour with my bestie. Benhamacht’s culinary experiences span from Morocco to some well-respected kitchens in California and New York. He’s brought them all to Arlington. Be excited.
The Menu
Theodore Roosevelt serves as an inspiration for this new concept. “Optimism, diplomacy, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for the world around us,” are noted on a press release…