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

Falls Church Restaurant Week starts on Friday with discounts and deals

By Katie Taranto
Dishes from Ellie Bird (via Ellie Bird/Facebook)

Dozens of local restaurants, bakeries and cafes are offering “ten days of deliciousness” starting this Friday during Falls Church Restaurant Week.

Restaurants will offer a variety of discounts, prix fixe menus and new or special items through Sunday, Feb. 9. Diners who collect at least eight “Passport” stamps from businesses can also be entered into a $100 gift card drawing.

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News

EXCLUSIVE: What Trump and Amazon return-to-office orders could mean for Arlington

By Dan Egitto and Katie Taranto
Aerial view of the Pentagon and Pentagon City (staff photo)

Return-to-office mandates at Amazon and in the federal government could provide an economic boon to Arlington, experts say.

As President Donald Trump’s executive order to end many remote-work arrangements sent shockwaves through federal workplaces last week, Amazon employees this month also began working five days a week at HQ2.

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Around Town

Large, underground youth baseball and hockey center opens in Clarendon

By Katie Taranto
A large synthetic ice rink at Corobus Sports (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Months in the making, a 22,000-square-foot youth sports complex in Clarendon is now open.

Corobus Sports is equipped with training facilities for baseball, softball and ice hockey. Part of The Crossing Clarendon, the underground center has opened at 2800 Clarendon Blvd, where Jumping Joeys closed in 2021, owner Henry White confirmed to ARLnow.

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Around Town

Plant shop featured on ‘Love is Blind’ plans Crystal City location

By Katie Taranto
Plants from PLNTR (via PLNTR/Facebook)

A plant boutique featured in the latest season of Netflix’s “Love is Blind” has announced its second location in Crystal City.

The D.C.-based shop, PLNTR — whose Dupont Circle location hosted the now-separated reality TV couple Monica Davis and Stephen Richardson — offers plant retail and a host of green thumb activities.

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Around Town

Mah-Ze-Dahr cafe closes in Crystal City after three and a half years

By Katie Taranto
A now-closed Mah-Ze-Dahr at 1550 Crystal Drive (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The restaurant and bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr has closed in Crystal City after three and a half years.

The New York City-based cafe, which opened in June 2021, shuttered at 1550 Crystal Drive last Thursday. It was the bakery’s last location in the D.C. area.

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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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