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

Where to go on Valentine’s Day in Arlington and F.C.

By Katie Taranto
Valentine's Day 2024 donuts at Astro Fried Chicken and Doughnuts (courtesy of Scott Suchman)

From fancy date nights to couple’s painting, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Arlington and Falls Church.

Whether you plan to celebrate solo or over a candlelit dinner for two, here are some ways to enjoy the day of love with local food, drink and events.

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Around Town

Yunnan by Potomac to host grand opening in Pentagon City this week

By Katie Taranto
Mixian noodles from Yunnan by Potomac (courtesy of Yunnan by Potomac)

An acclaimed Chinese noodle restaurant is hosting a grand opening in Pentagon City this week.

Yunnan by Potomac is now at 721 15th Street S. — a relocation from its flagship Old Town Alexandria restaurant, which closed earlier this month.

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Around Town

Arlington deals: Half-off wine, $2 tacos and more

By Katie Taranto
Immigrant Food in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Hoping to save on dining and other purchases, or check out limited-time offerings at Arlington and Falls Church restaurants?

ARLnow pulled together some local deals and specials at businesses around the county, all happening now. This feature is exclusive for ARLnow Press Club members.

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Around Town

Where to find Girl Scout cookies in Arlington and Fall Church next month

By Katie Taranto
Girl Scouts selling cookies in 2024 (courtesy of Girl Scouts Nation's Capital)

Girl Scout cookie season is approaching, and soon there will be a whole lot of them in Arlington and Falls Church.

At publication time, least 16 cookie booths are planned across the county, with at least six more in the Little City. They’ll appear on sidewalks outside local grocery stores, apartment buildings and more, beginning Friday, Feb. 7 and continuing through mid-March.

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Around Town

Fast-casual meals and sweets ‘coming soon’ to the Pentagon City mall

By Katie Taranto
Interior of Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in 2020 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

French-Asian pastries, samosas, gelato and more are “coming soon” to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

The mall at 1100 S. Hayes Street recently announced a slate of four incoming restaurants, with offerings ranging from masala fries to fast-casual chicken and bowls. More information on planned openings dates was not immediately available.

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Around Town

Arlington and F.C. spots rank among Washingtonian’s ‘100 Very Best Restaurants’

By Katie Taranto
Food from NiHao in Crystal City (courtesy photo)

A number of Arlington and Falls Church restaurants were honored this week as some of “The 100 Very Best Restaurants” in the D.C. area.

Taking into account both food and atmosphere, Washingtonian’s annual rankings recognized 20 Northern Virginia restaurants as the best of the best. Three Arlington spots and a half dozen Falls Church spots are repeat winners — but the list includes a couple of newcomers.

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News

Beer garden serving Korean street food coming to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Outdoor patios at 556 22nd Street S. in January 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A property owner in Crystal City is seeking the county’s blessing to add an outdoor beer garden to a vacant building.

Scapegoat Beer Garden, in the works at 556 22nd Street S. on Restaurant Row, hopes to gain approval from the Arlington County Board to start using two of three outdoor patios constructed — without permits — during the pandemic.

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Events

Year of the snake: Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Arlington and F.C.

By Katie Taranto
Dragon dance performance at a previous Chinese New Year Festival in Falls Church (via Chinese New Year Festival/Facebook)

Some celebrations in honor of Lunar New Year are coming to Arlington and Falls Church next week.

Observed by many Asian communities on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the holiday signals the upcoming spring season and usher in the year of the snake on the Chinese zodiac calendar. From specialty menus to festivals, here are some of the cultural activities taking place in Arlington and Falls Church.

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Around Town

Restaurant tracker: Andy’s Pizza, Scolapasta & more

By Katie Taranto
Scolapasta signs at 4219 Fairfax Drive in December 2024 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

This is Katie Taranto, with more updates for ARLnow Press Club members on food and drink in Arlington and Falls Church. I will be providing updates on a monthly basis, recapping what we know and letting you know what’s to come.   

With the holidays over and the new year settling in, many of us are shifting back into work or keeping up with resolutions. Staying inside might be tempting this time of year — especially with temperatures dipping into single digits this week — but there are still good reasons to get out and about in Arlington.

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Around Town

New Chinese restaurant ‘coming soon’ to Westpost

By Katie Taranto
1983 Chinese Cuisine at the Westpost shopping center (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A new Chinese restaurant appears to be joining Westpost at National Landing.

The establishment, 1983 Chinese Cuisine, is “coming soon” to the Pentagon City shopping center formerly known as Pentagon Row, according to storefront posters at 1101 S. Joyce Street.

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Around Town

Crystal Boutique celebrates relocation to converted office space

By Katie Taranto
Crystal Boutique owner Joel Cohen cuts the ribbon on his new store (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Loyal customers surrounded business owner Joel Cohen as he cut the ribbon on the new location of his time-honored boutique last week.

Going on 56 years of business, Crystal Boutique recently celebrated its relocation from the now-vacant Crystal City Underground in October. Now located on the third floor of 2231 Crystal Drive, the store is a popular destination for women’s evening wear and custom garments.

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Around Town

Where to watch the Commanders playoff game in Arlington

By Katie Taranto
Commanders fans at First Down Sports Bar & Grill in November 2024 (via First Down/Facebook)

Sports bars across Arlington have plans to show the Washington Commanders game this weekend, as the team advances in the playoffs for the first time in two decades.

After beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20, they’ll face off against the Detroit Lions at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at Detroit’s Ford Field.

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