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

Acclaimed Bar Chinois sets May opening in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Hoisin ribs from Bar Chinois (courtesy of Bar Chinois)

A popular restaurant and bar with French and Chinese influences has set a spring opening for its Crystal City location.

Bar Chinois plans to open this May at 244 19th Court S., on the ground floor of The Grace and Reva apartments. It’ll be the restaurant’s second location, joining an acclaimed flagship spot in D.C.

Go to Acclaimed Bar Chinois sets May opening in Crystal City Read more
Around Town

‘We will survive’: Restaurateur behind Green Pig Bistro faces setbacks with optimism

By Katie Taranto
Fitzgerald Lewis (courtesy image)

Since 2021, a local attorney has made a splash in the Arlington restaurant scene, exuding confidence even as the industry faces increasing setbacks.

Fitzgerald Lewis, the founder of Lewis & Associates in Falls Church, owns nearly 20 eateries in D.C. area and internationally, including the Green Pig Bistro, Buena Vida Gastrolounge, Dudley’s Sport and Ale and Barley Mac in Arlington.

Go to ‘We will survive’: Restaurateur behind Green Pig Bistro faces setbacks with optimism Read more
Around Town

Spring is here: Where to enjoy beer gardens, patios and outdoor dining in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
The garden terrace at Wilson Hardware in Clarendon (photo courtesy of Wilson Hardware)

Spring is here, bringing warmer weather, longer daylight hours and more outdoor dining in Arlington.

As patios and beer gardens reopen for the season, here are a couple of spots in and around Arlington to enjoy the scenery with drinks or a meal.

Go to Spring is here: Where to enjoy beer gardens, patios and outdoor dining in Arlington Read more
Around Town

Catboat Pizza Bar plans seasonal reopening on Potomac waterfront

By Katie Taranto
Catboat Pizza Bar's outdoor seating (via Catboat/Facebook)

With warmer days ahead, an outdoor pizza restaurant and wine bar on the Potomac River waterfront will soon make its seasonal return.

Catboat Pizza Bar plans to reopen next month at the Washington Sailing Marina in Alexandria, offering fresh pizza, drinks and lawn games with picturesque views. It will be the restaurant’s second season on the water at 1 Marina Drive.

Go to Catboat Pizza Bar plans seasonal reopening on Potomac waterfront Read more
Events

Arlington Public Library’s spring book sale returns next week

By Katie Taranto
Arlington Public Library book sale (via Arlington Public Library)

The Arlington Public Library’s semiannual book sale is coming back for the spring season.

Offering books, games and puzzles at bargain prices, the sale begins next Thursday, April 3 in Central Library’s parking garage at 1015 N. Quincy Street.

Go to Arlington Public Library’s spring book sale returns next week Read more
News

‘I was paralyzed with fear’ — Ashton Heights residents respond to ICE raid

By Katie Taranto
ICE agents on N. Piedmont Street in Ashton Heights (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An immigration operation at a cluster of Ashton Heights apartments last week left many residents on edge and concerned for themselves and their neighbors.

On Thursday morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attempted to enter several apartment buildings as part of an investigation. An ARLnow reporter witnessed agents loudly banging on doors in one building before leaving the building to interview several passersby.

Go to ‘I was paralyzed with fear’ — Ashton Heights residents respond to ICE raid Read more
Around Town

Andy’s Pizza teases ‘soon-ish’ opening in Va. Square

By Katie Taranto
New signage is up for Andy's Pizza at 901 N. Pollard Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The new Andy’s Pizza in Virginia Square won’t open in late March, as previously projected — but it is coming “soon-ish.”

That’s according to a handwritten message posted below the restaurant’s newly installed signage at 901 N. Pollard Street.

Go to Andy’s Pizza teases ‘soon-ish’ opening in Va. Square Read more
Around Town

Pool hall in former Silver Diner spot rebrands as ‘Clarendon 54’

By Katie Taranto
3200 Wilson Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A pool hall and bar in Clarendon’s former Silver Diner space has a new name.

Billiards, Bites and Beverages at 3200 Wilson Blvd is taking on a shorter new moniker: Clarendon 54. ARLnow readers spotted new exterior signs for the club last week.

Go to Pool hall in former Silver Diner spot rebrands as ‘Clarendon 54’ Read more
Around Town

Italian restaurant Osteria da Nino is closing next month in Shirlington

By Katie Taranto
Nino Pino, co-owner of Osteria da Nino, in 2016 (file photo)

After a decade of business in Shirlington, family-owned Italian restaurant Osteria da Nino will close next month.

The restaurant’s last day at 2900 S. Quincy Street is Sunday, April 20, the Pino family owners shared in a Facebook post this weekend. It will offer Easter brunch and dinner service before closing for good.

Go to Italian restaurant Osteria da Nino is closing next month in Shirlington Read more
Around Town

‘The Wandering Shelf’ aims to bring Arlington a bookstore on wheels this spring

By Katie Taranto
Tessa Cannon outside The Wandering Bookshelf (courtesy image)

A Clarendon resident is opening a new bookstore out of a renovated camper van, with plans to hit the road this summer.

Tessa Cannon is aiming to launch The Wandering Shelf, an independent mobile bookshop with about 700 fiction and nonfiction titles, later this spring. In terms of selection, she told ARLnow the store is focused on three categories: “cozy, fantastical and impactful reads.”

Go to ‘The Wandering Shelf’ aims to bring Arlington a bookstore on wheels this spring Read more
News

Economic headwinds could bring wave of Arlington restaurant closures, group warns

By Dan Egitto and Katie Taranto
A sign indicating a business closure in Crystal City in 2023 (courtesy anonymous)

The D.C. area’s restaurant community is warning of closures as economic pressures and federal actions raise fears of less spending and higher costs.

Impacts may be less severe in Arlington and Falls Church than in D.C., as some businesses are considering leaving the District for “better deals” in Northern Virginia. However, Shawn Townsend, president of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), cautioned that Arlington restaurants remain vulnerable to issues involving federal job cuts, rising costs and a possible meals tax increase.

Go to Economic headwinds could bring wave of Arlington restaurant closures, group warns Read more
View More Stories