A local pizzeria known for its Detroit-style slices and playfully monstrous decor opens for business tomorrow (Wednesday) in Falls Church.
Little Beast is preparing to dish up its first pizzas from its new restaurant at 119 E. Broad Street, on the ground floor of Broad & Washington. There, owner and restaurateur Aaron Gordon plans to offer Detroit and deck oven-style pies, pastas, salads, sandwiches and desserts in a casual, kid-friendly atmosphere.
“There’s so many wonderful restaurants in Falls Church, especially in the last four or five years — but oftentimes, they have a very sophisticated menu, and they’re very elegant,” Gordon told ARLnow. “We’re elegant as well, but I think we’re just a lot more family-friendly than most other restaurants in the area, so we’re really proud of that.”
At Little Beast, Gordon — who previously operated D.C.-area spots like Red Velvet Cupcakery and the Rabbit Salad and Grill — has earned recognition from The Washington Post and Northern Virginia Magazine for his foccaccia-like Detroit pizzas.
In Falls Church, other highlights include a watermelon salad with fresh corn, avocado, tomato, cotija cheese, cilantro and a roasted jalapeño ranch. The bistro will initially only offer dinner service, before extending hours for lunch and brunch later this year.
The new eatery is also planning a daily happy hour with $9 martinis available in several variations, plus other cocktails with homemade syrups and juices, available alongside local beers and wines.
This is Little Beast’s third location, joining outposts in Chevy Chase, Md., and D.C.’s Palisades neighborhood (not including a Reston location that closed in 2023). The restaurant’s name and beastly interior were inspired by Gordon’s daughters.
“Like any child, they’re feisty and beastly in the best sense of the word,” Gordon previously told ARLnow. “What I mean is that they’re fun and they make faces and they stomp around — makes me think of ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’”
German street artist Kim Köster brings that vision to life with storybook-like illustrations across the pizzeria’s walls in Falls Church.
The new pizza spot has seating for about 80 guests indoors, with space for another 25 guests outside. Inside, the dining room is equipped with a 15-seat, full service bar, along with a bakery nook with soft serve ice cream and baked goods from pastry chef and longtime restaurant partner Naomi Gallego.
At Little Beast, Gallego — whose resume includes a previous role of head pastry chef at Le Diplomate — plans to offer a variety of fresh cookies, cheesecakes, brownies and puddings, among other confections.
Gordon is excited to open in Falls Church, where he hopes Little Beast can take on a new role as the neighborhood’s go-to family-friendly pizzeria.
Initial hours at Little Beast are 5-10 p.m. daily, with happy hour from 4-7 p.m.
