Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

‘Toastique’ plans grand opening with giveaways in Crystal City this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Toastique's new Crystal City storefront (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The wait is over in Crystal City for Toastique, a D.C.-based “gourmet toast” eatery opening this weekend.

Grand opening festivities begin this Saturday at 244 19th Court S., on the ground floor of Reva apartments. The new cafe serves a variety of sweet and savory loaded toasts, plant-based breakfasts, smoothies and coffee.

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Around Town

Burger Billy’s Joint brings smash burger success to Cherrydale one year in

By Katie Taranto
Burger Billy's Joint at 3800 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Under the wing of a dedicated veteran chef, a smash burger joint in Cherrydale is aspiring to regional stardom since opening last spring.

Equipped with heated food lockers and contactless ordering screens, Burger Billy’s Joint opened last April at 3800 Langston Blvd, primarily as a takeout and delivery option for its smash patty creations.

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Around Town

Restaurant tracker: Toastique, Locket and more

By Katie Taranto
Outdoor seating with umbrellas at Water Park (courtesy of Water Park)

This is a free preview of the restaurant tracker report sent monthly to ARLnow Press Club members. Join the club to get this and other exclusive features, like our Court Update monthly emails and the ad-free Pro Update daily newsletter.

Hi everyone, this is Katie Taranto, with more updates for ARLnow Press Club members on food and drink in Arlington and Falls Church.

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Around Town

‘Entangled’ yarn shop and makerspace opens this weekend in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Shelves of yarn and materials at Entangled (via Entangled/Facebook)

A new yarn shop and haven for fiber arts enthusiasts opens in Falls Church this weekend.

Entangled will sell supplies and host events for knitters and crocheters at 103 Rowell Court. Kelly Schnapp, a Coast Guard veteran, federal employee and longtime knitter from Falls Church, hopes to help customers “escape from everyday stress” and connect to art.

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Around Town

Gwenie’s Pastries and Lapu Lapu bring Filipino delicacies to Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
Gwenie's and Lapu Lapu in Pentagon City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new one-stop shop for Filipino breakfast sandwiches and baked goods opened over the weekend in Pentagon City.

Gwenie’s Pastries x Lapu Lapu, owned and operated by acclaimed culinary sibling duo Stella and Javier Fernandez, offers breakfast and baked goods under one roof at 1417 S. Fern Street. It is the first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia for both Maryland-based businesses.

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Around Town

Golf-themed ‘Loopers Tavern’ will replace Bartaco vacancy in Ballston

By Katie Taranto
Bartaco's empty space in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new golf-inspired tavern is teeing up to replace Bartaco’s vacant space at Ballston Quarter.

Loopers Tavern, a restaurant and bar “inspired by the traditions and camaraderie of golf caddies” is Arlington restaurateur Reese Gardner’s newest project, fresh off the opening of Nettie’s Tavern earlier this month. He hopes to open Loopers at 4238 Wilson Blvd, where Bartaco exited in March, he told ARLnow.

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Events

Virginia Beer and Wine Festival returning to Crystal City next month

By Katie Taranto
Water Park visitors sit outside for an event (courtesy of Water Park)

An annual celebration of local wines and beers is returning to Crystal City for its second year next month.

The Virginia Beer and Wine Festival is coming to Water Park from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 27. The event will feature live music, lawn games and refreshments from several Virginia-based vendors.

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Events

Falls Church Festival returns in two weeks with food samples and live music

By Katie Taranto
The Beer Garden at a previous year's Falls Church Festival (courtesy City of Falls Church)

The annual Falls Church Festival is approaching, bringing back a day of live music, activities and tastings from local restaurants.

Over 90 vendors and civic organizations will join the fun as the festival returns for its 49th year from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. The event outside City Hall at 300 Park Avenue is rain or shine.

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Events

Where to watch NFL and college football in Arlington and Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Quincy Hall (Staff photo by Savannah Taffe)

Numerous venues in Arlington and Falls Church are ready for football fans as the 2025 season kicks off.

Need a go-to spot this season? These local sports bars and restaurants offer happy hour deals and screens aplenty for watching with friends, in addition to hosting local fanbases and alumni groups.

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News

New 36-story hotel opens in Rosslyn with an American restaurant, ‘Locket’

By Katie Taranto
Street view of the new Hilton hotel in Rosslyn (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new high-rise Hilton hotel opened for business yesterday (Tuesday) in Rosslyn, bringing new events spaces and an American restaurant to the former Holiday Inn site.

Guests are now welcome at the 36-story Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key, equipped with new amenities including a bar and two eateries: the Locket restaurant and Scott’s Coffee Shop & Mart.

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Schools

First day of school at APS begins with ‘Senior Sunrise’ celebration at W-L

By Katie Taranto
The class of 2026 participates in Senior Sunrise at Washington-Liberty High School (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Seniors at Washington-Liberty High School kicked off the first day of school today (Monday) with an annual “Senior Sunrise” tradition on the school’s football field.

Students from the class of 2026 began shuffling onto the field around 6 a.m., and by sunrise, about 100 of them had gathered at War Memorial Stadium to celebrate. As they took pictures, lounged on blankets and enjoyed a free breakfast treat, some reflected on what it meant to begin their final year of high school.

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Around Town

Summer Restaurant Week extended through Sunday at these Arlington restaurants

By Katie Taranto
Menu items from Makers Union (courtesy of Fun Food Group)

Summer Restaurant Week promotions are continuing through the end of August at several Arlington locations.

Lyon Hall, Bar Chinois and Seoul Prime are just some of the 120 D.C.-area restaurants extending their prix fixe deals through Sunday, Aug. 31, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced.

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