D.C.’s Matchbox opens at Potomac Mills

Matchbox in the process of a national expansion.

The Washington, D.C.-based Matchbox American Kitchen + Spirit plans to open at least six new restaurants per year, with eyed locations in Richmond, Colorado, and Florida. The eatery got its start on H Street, near Verizon Center in D.C. and later expanded to Maryland and Northern Virginia.

It’s the newest location at Potomac Mills mall opened Thursday. The setting of this two-level restaurant is cold-weather cozy, with two fireplaces inside and three fire pits on an outside patio.

Reclaimed wood was used to make the walls, and steel and brick round out the industrial feel of the restaurant. The second floor is complete with tables that overlook the bar, and two “floating” booths that offer a cozy space for group dining.

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On the menu, there’s spicy tuna tartar tacos, whipped ricotta fettuccini, beet and burrata salad, prime NY strip steak, and Pabst Blue Ribbon fish and chips.

Matchbox developed a name for itself when it opened its D.C. location in 2003 by selling artisanal pizzas and mini burgers in combinations of three, six, and nine. At Potomac Mills, there’s a pizza bar where diners can see their food made in front of them, and a Charcuterie station where fresh meat and cheeses are sliced and plated to order to make a unique dining experience for a couple.

The restaurant’s square wooden bar is the centerpiece of the first floor, where cocktails like bourbon crisp, with ingredients like apple cider and cinnamon, are on the menu. There’s draft beer, and there’s draft wine on tap — four reds and whites.

When Matchbox got started, Prince William County was not on the company’s radar. “I think we came down here once to IKEA to get some furniture,” said Andrew Kim, one of the restaurant’s founders.

Fast forward to 2016, and his is one of the several new restaurants that have filled a portion of what once was largely a commuter parking lot at what was once known only as an outlet mall. Today, The Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze, and Ornery Public House — Prince William County’s first brewpub — now sit within a stones throw of the mall.

At nearby Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar and Uncle Julio’s continue to draw fans. Chain restaurant BurgerFi is soon to open and the locally-owned Republic Brewery will open this spring.

At Matchbox, there’re 435 seats in the restaurant. It employs more than 150 people. The company began hiring staff two weeks before Christmas.

The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. with lasting seating at 10:30 p.m., Friday from 11 am. will last seating at 11:30 pm., Saturday from 10 a.m with last seating at 11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. with last seating at 10:30 p.m. Brunch will also be served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

There are happy hour specials on select wines, drafts, cocktails and bites, Monday through Friday from 3 pm. to 6 p.m.