Ari’s Diner

The original Ari’s Diner, which was restaurateur Ari Gejdensen’s first foray into the world of hospitality, is located in Florence, where it’s still serving American diner fare to Italian patrons. Gejdensen opened the spot while he was playing pro soccer overseas and looking for late-night establishments with food that reminded him of home. Now that he’s back stateside with a sizable portfolio of restaurants under the Mindful Restaurant Group umbrella, Gejdensen decided to recreate his original diner concept in Ivy City’s Hecht Warehouse. The space is modeled after a GMC Streamliner, with chrome as far as the eye can see. The menu includes well-executed versions of the classics—plenty of breakfast options (don’t miss the pancakes), organic burgers and milkshakes (boozy or regular). There’s also a section that pays homage to the first Ari’s Diner, with trattoria dinner specials like chicken parmesan and rigatoni al ragu.