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

New Van Leeuwen ice cream shop coming to Ballston

By Katie Taranto
New signs for Van Leeuwen in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Arlington’s third Van Leeuwen ice cream location is preparing to open in Ballston.

Signage for the national ice cream chain has appeared within the last few days on the ground floor of 4075 Wilson Blvd, in part of the former Rustico Restaurant space. The business has eyed the location since last May, according to permit records.

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Around Town

Westover Taco’s new women’s sports bar hosts grand opening with D.C. teams

By Katie Taranto
Sarah White cuts the ribbon on Westover Taco's women's sports bar (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Westover Taco cut the ribbon on Northern Virginia’s first women’s sports bar last night (Thursday) with a little help from some of the region’s athletes.

Members of the professional women’s tackle football team D.C. Divas and nonprofit tackle football team DMV Queens showed up alongside professional ultimate frisbee players from DC Shadow Ultimate to help celebrate the grand opening of the bar with founder Sarah White.

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Around Town

New ownership at pizzeria bringing ‘global fusion’ pies to Langston Blvd

By Katie Taranto
The former Citi Pizza and Wings on Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Under new ownership, a longtime pizzeria on Langston Blvd is receiving a brand new look, name and internationally inspired menu.

Zesto Pizza has replaced Citi Pizza and Wings, ushering in a new menu and interior renovations at 5127 Langston Blvd. Led by Arlington chef Tushar Chawda, the revamped business plans to soft open tomorrow (Friday), offering up “global fusion pizzas” and appetizers inspired by international cuisines.

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Around Town

Lebanese restaurant moving to former burger joint on Langston Blvd

By Katie Taranto
Signage at The Block Oven's new Langston Blvd address (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A family-owned Lebanese restaurant with brick oven-prepared cuisine is preparing to reopen in a new space on Langston Blvd.

The Block Oven has moved about half a mile from 3110 Langston Blvd — now home to Brazilian-Lebanese fusion spot Tio Pelé — to 2515 Langston Blvd, above the Cloud Lounge hookah bar. It replaces a vacancy left by Burger7, which first opened in 2012.

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Around Town

‘Cafe Dalmatia’ planned at former Green Pig Bistro space in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
1025 N. Fillmore Street, where the Green Pig Bistro used to be (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A veteran chef in the D.C. area appears to be breathing new life into the Green Pig Bistro’s former Clarendon address.

A work permit application for a new “Cafe Dalmatia” by chef Ivan Zivkovic was filed last week at 1025 N. Fillmore Street. It’s unclear what the new restaurant plans to offer, but the name Dalmatia, a coastal region of Croatia, suggests Mediterranean cuisine.

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Around Town

Local butcher and deli known for cheesesteaks is coming to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
The Philly from Soko Butcher (via Soko Butcher/Instagram)

A butcher and deli chain with a popular Philadelphia-style cheesesteak is planning to open a new spot in Crystal City.

Soko Butcher is coming to a 1,600-square-foot retail bay at 269 19th Court S., Suite 95, on the ground floor of the Grace and Reva apartments, owner Brad Feickert told ARLnow.

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Events

Free fitness demos and a 5K coming to Va. Square this weekend

By Katie Taranto
The Plaza at Mason Square (courtesy of GMU)

George Mason University’s Virginia Square campus is hosting a health-centered festival this weekend, with a fun run, live fitness classes and a DJ.

The celebration, called Clarendon FitFest, kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Mason Square Plaza (3351 Fairfax Drive) with a 5K run and 2-mile walk. These will be followed by a “fitness fair” with live class demonstrations and free giveaways until 12:30 p.m.

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Events

New festival to spotlight Columbia Pike’s diverse cultures this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Caporales San Simon USA (via Columbia Pike Partnership/Facebook)

A new multicultural celebration is coming to Columbia Pike this weekend.

International cuisines, live performances and kid-friendly activities are all part of the inaugural Columbia Pike Culture Fest, happening from noon to 6 p.m. this Saturday at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street).

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Around Town

PopUp Bagels, known for ‘rip and dip’ approach, plans Arlington location

By Katie Taranto
PopUp Bagels (via PopUp Bagels/Instagram)

A bagel shop with a unique approach and large social media presence could soon be popping up in Arlington, the latest addition to the county’s bagel scene.

Connecticut-based PopUp Bagels — known for its “rip and dip” style and social media posts that regularly earn hundreds of thousands of views — is planning a new Arlington location after celebrating a crowded grand opening in Georgetown last Friday.

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Around Town

New pet relief areas coming to Shirlington amid streetscape renovations

By Katie Taranto
Outside Dogma Bakery at the Village at Shirlington (via Dogma Bakery/Facebook)

Ongoing renovations at the Village at Shirlington will include two new areas for pets to relieve themselves.

The pet relief areas and a pet waste station are planned outside Dogma Bakery and the Shirlington Animal Hospital, a spokesperson for Federal Realty Investment Trust told ARLnow.

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Around Town

Digital scavenger hunt arrives in Ballston with interactive art and prizes

By Katie Taranto
Bloom Hunt decal in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A digital scavenger hunt inspired by cherry blossom season has gotten underway in Ballston.

Floral sidewalk decals for Bloom Hunt, coordinated by the Ballston BID and the immersive art gallery Artechouse DC, appeared in the neighborhood earlier this week. Participants have until Sunday to scan the decals with Artechouse’s app, unlocking digital, blossom-inspired artwork for a chance to win prizes.

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Around Town

Alpacas to spotlight new happy hour at Peruvian restaurant in Pentagon City

By Katie Taranto
Alpacas at Peruvian Brothers (courtesy of Peruvian Brothers)

A new limited-time happy hour in Pentagon City is offering specials on Peruvian cuisine — and the opportunity to meet a wooly friend or two.

Guests at Peruvian Brothers can sip pisco sour slushies while enjoying the company of alpacas on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. through the end of May. “Alpaca Happy Hour” will take place in a small outdoor enclosure at 1450 S. Eads Street, restaurant co-founder Giuseppe Lanzone told ARLnow.

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