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.

Events

Summer Restaurant Week starts Monday in Arlington and Falls Church

By Katie Taranto
Tacos and fries from Taqueria Xochi (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Prix fixe dining deals are coming soon to the D.C. area with the start of this summer’s Restaurant Week.

Over two dozen restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are expected to participate in the biannual promotion, which kicks off on Monday, Aug. 18 and lasts through Sunday, Aug. 24. These include spots like the new Bar Chinois in Crystal City and ARLnow reader favorite Lyon Hall.

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Around Town

Onelife Fitness begins expansion onto second floor of Ballston Quarter next week

By Katie Taranto
Onelife Fitness and its upcoming expansion space at Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Onelife Fitness is set to begin a $2 million expansion next week at its Ballston gym, constructing new spaces for exercise, recovery and physical therapy.

The fitness center on the third floor of Ballston Quarter will be expanding into vacant retail space below, adding about 12,000 square feet to double the center’s square footage dedicated to turf and strength training.

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Around Town

Falafel Inc plans new Restaurant Row location in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
A Falafel Inc truck parked outside its future Crystal City location (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An award-winning fast-casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern street foods is planning to open in a new location in Crystal City.

Falafel Inc has confirmed plans to open at 500 23rd Street S. on Restaurant Row, where Burke & Herbert Bank closed in 2023. The restaurant, which currently has a spot in nearby Water Park, is known for its affordable prices and efforts to fund food assistance for refugees.

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Around Town

L.A. Bar & Grill expands Columbia Pike menu to include new Bolivian dishes

By Katie Taranto
L.A. Bar & Grill on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A longtime bar and grill on Columbia Pike is introducing new specialty dishes from Bolivia this summer with the help of an overseas restaurateur.

L.A. Bar & Grill’s wide menu of bar snacks and entrees is expanding with Chillamicito, a new pop-up offering a popular Bolivian food, pique macho. The bar at 2530 Columbia Pike launched the menu this summer through a partnership with chef Andrés Ferrufino.

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Around Town

A Tex-Mex restaurant with a focus on seafood is coming to Courthouse

By Katie Taranto
Corner Bakery Cafe's former spot at 2111 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The empty space left by Corner Bakery Cafe in Courthouse is getting a new restaurant, possibly by this fall.

Rocoto’s Restaurant and Bakery hopes to bring “high-end casual” Tex-Mex and Latin American fusion to 2111 Wilson Blvd, owner Jaime Vargas told ARLnow. The restaurant is under construction and recently applied for a state liquor license.

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Around Town

‘The Cheese Cartel’ plans new Falls Church cheese and charcuterie shop

By Katie Taranto
Founders Row in Falls Church (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Falls Church is getting a new destination for cheese and charcuterie.

Contractors are currently building the storefront for The Cheese Cartel at 922 W. Broad Street, founder Alyssa Romashko told ARLnow. The new small business plans to carry a rotating selection of meats, cheeses, wines and bread.

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Around Town

New sushi restaurant and speakeasy ‘Saki’ is coming to Courthouse

By Katie Taranto
Rendering of Saki's exterior by (courtesy of Danielle Koos and Greg Lee)

A new Japanese restaurant and speakeasy with a menu from a Michelin-starred sushi chef is underway in Courthouse.

Construction has begun on Saki, a sushi restaurant at 2055 15th Street N. by partners Nick Cordero and Greg Lee. The restaurant hopes to offer high quality sushi and cocktails in a casual atmosphere.

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Around Town

Japanese franchise ‘Takagi Coffee’ plans new Pentagon City cafe

By Katie Taranto
Empty retail bay where Takagi Coffee is expected at Pentagon Centre (staff photo by Ryan Cole)

A coffeehouse franchise based in Japan plans to open its first East Coast location in Pentagon City.

Takagi Coffee has inked a deal at 721 15th Street S., in between Tend and Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House. The cafe applied for a commercial building permit last Friday.

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Events

Arlington County Fair returns next week with free festivities and relocated beer garden

By Katie Taranto
Scene from the 2024 Arlington County Fair (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Five days of live entertainment, family-friendly fun and, of course, food-eating contests kick off next week with the start of the 49th annual Arlington County Fair.

Starting next Wednesday, Aug. 13, and lasting through Sunday, Aug. 17, this year’s fair at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd Street S.) includes a relocated beer garden and a new partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

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Around Town

New European-inspired restaurant and bar plans Pentagon City opening

By Katie Taranto
Signage for Ember at Westpost (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new “Eurofusion” restaurant and bar with specialty dry-aged meats is preparing to open in Pentagon City later this year.

Ember Kitchen and Spirits is targeting a winter opening at 1301 S. Joyce Street, where Irish gastropub Mattie and Eddie’s closed last year. It plans to offer quality cuts of meat and European-inspired dishes, while hosting events involving dancing and live music, founder Nicholas Mounts told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Panera Bread plans fall opening in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
2450 Crystal Drive (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Panera Bread is coming to Crystal City.

The fast-casual chain known for its soups, salads and sandwiches has confirmed plans to open at 2450 Crystal Drive. Construction has started in the vacant retail bay next to Navy Federal Credit Union, where Panera received a permit to build last month.

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Around Town

RAMMY Awards honor Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe and ‘Padaek’ restaurateur

By Katie Taranto
Chef and restaurateur Seng Luangrath holds the 2025 "Restaurateur of the Year" award at the 2025 RAMMYS (courtesy of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington)

A bakery off of Langston Blvd and the chef behind a Laotian restaurant in South Arlington walked away with honors at last night’s RAMMY Awards.

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe received the Honorary Milestone Award for 50 years in business, while local chef Seng Luangrath won “Best Restaurateur of the Year.”

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