Around Town

A new Spanish tapas restaurant expects to open for business soon at Pentagon City’s Westpost shopping center.

El Mercat Bar de Tapas plans to open its second location in mid-August at 1301 S. Joyce Street, where Asia Bistro closed last fall. From offerings to ambience, owner and veteran chef George Rodrigues hopes to make diners feel like they’re really in Spain.


News

A multimillion-dollar project adding new bus bays and pedestrian improvements to the East Falls Church Metro station begins next week.

Plans at 2001 N. Sycamore Street call for the construction of three new bus bays, as well as updates to nearby sidewalks, crosswalks, bus shelters and utilities. The first phase will begin in the station’s north parking lot, county spokesperson Claudia Pors told ARLnow.


Events

A series of artisan pop-up markets is kicking off in Crystal City this weekend.

The Landing Local Artisan Market will spotlight at least 16 different vendors at Water Park, located at 1601 Crystal Drive. This week’s pop-up event will be the first of three this summer.


Around Town

By popular demand, the award-winning restaurateurs behind Ellie Bird are debuting a new private dining experience in Falls Church.

The Nest offers prix fixe, multi-course meals in a private dining room attached to Ellie Bird at 123 Founders Avenue. It is the fourth concept by owners Carey and Yuan Tang, known for their acclaimed contemporary cuisine and avian-themed eateries, including D.C.’s Rooster & Owl.


Around Town

A new cafe and bookstore is in the works where Mah-Ze-Dahr closed earlier this year in Crystal City.

Daydrift is a new cafe, market and bookstore by Water Park food hall operator Episcope Hospitality. The business is setting up shop across from the park at 1550 Crystal Drive, according to a message posted in the storefront.


Around Town

A Grammy-nominated country artist will be performing at an Arlington homeless shelter as part of a nationwide fundraising tour.

Singer-songwriter Steven Cade’s “Giving Guitars Tour” will be coming to Bridges to Independence on Monday, featuring a performance and a Q&A as well as the donation of a signed guitar.


Around Town

A banh mi shop with fresh baguettes and vintage decor will celebrate its grand opening at the Eden Center next week.

Banh Mi Oi will cut the ribbon on its new Falls Church location at 6795 Wilson Blvd next Wednesday, July 16. The celebration, which will include free merchandise and menu samples, opens to the public at 10 a.m.


Around Town

A new cafe with Korean shaved ice and brioche sandwiches has opened at the Founders Row development in Falls Church.

Semicolon Cafe, a small New York City-based chain that also offers classic cafe beverages and pastries, opened late last month at 103 Founders Avenue.


News

A $5 million project to relocate and consolidate Arlington County’s infrastructure for responding to emergencies is expected to begin later this year.

The county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management, along with a new Situational Awareness Intelligence Unit (SAIU), are all moving into the Bozman Government Center.


Events

A series of free outdoor movie nights on Columbia Pike begins this Friday with “The Wizard of Oz.”

Columbia Pike Movie Nights are coming to two outdoor plazas on Fridays and Saturdays this summer. Hosted by the Columbia Pike Partnership, the series will provide weekly movie screenings at the Arlington Mill Community Center and Penrose Square Apartments until late August.


News

Federal cuts to Medicaid and food-assistance programs are expected to place greater strain on Arlington’s most vulnerable residents and the social services that support them.

Arlington County officials, health-care workers and nonprofits are still scrambling to determine the local impacts of the new federal spending bill approved last week.


Around Town

Just in time for Bastille Day, a new bistro with Parisian-inspired offerings is set to open this Friday in Crystal City.

Bar Colline plans to offer French-American cuisine at 269 19th Court S. A sister to Cafe Colline on Langston Blvd, the bistro will join a growing mix of retail and dining at The Grace and Reva apartments.


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