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

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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Around Town

New Breakfast Bingo campaign offers rewards for eating local

By Katie Taranto
Breakfast Bingo cards inside Mae's Market (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Winning bingo can be as easy as ordering to-go coffee.

A new dining promotion launched by the National Landing BID earlier this week, Breakfast Bingo, offers rewards to diners at select restaurants around Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard through the end of the month.

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Around Town

Call Your Mother ‘Jew-ish’ deli opens kiosk in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Customers line up at breakfast time at Call Your Mother's new Crystal City kiosk (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Call Your Mother has arrived in Crystal City, offering bagel sandwiches and “Jew-ish” deli classics.

The D.C.-born deli opened Monday at Water Park on 1601 Crystal Drive, touting its unmistakable spunky aesthetic and hardy offerings.

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Events

MLK Day of Service promises volunteer projects to improve community

By Katie Taranto
MLK Day of Service 2023 at Washington-Liberty High School (via Volunteer Arlington/Facebook)

A day of community service this weekend aims to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The eighth annual MLK Day of Service this Saturday, Jan. 18 will host volunteer projects supporting over 20 Volunteer Arlington partners.

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Around Town

Winter Restaurant Week approaching with meal deals in Arlington and F.C.

By Katie Taranto
A meal at Mussel Bar & Grille (via Mussel Bar & Grill/Facebook)

Over a dozen restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are slated to participate in Winter Restaurant Week, which returns Monday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 2.

Hosted biannually by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, participating businesses across the D.C. area will offer multi-course, prix-fixe menus, inviting diners to return to their favorite spots — or to try something new.

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Around Town

Coffee, tapas and empanadas: DCA’s newest eats in 2025

By Katie Taranto
Half Moon Empanadas at DCA (via Reagan National Airport/Facebook)

A handful of new restaurants have landed at Reagan National Airport in recent months.

From fast-casual Mediterranean bowls to grab-and-go snacks curated by chef José Andrés, here are some of the new bites you’ll find past security in 2025.

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Around Town

Well-loved tree in Ashton Heights cut down for redevelopment of old house

By Katie Taranto
The stump and lumber of a large willow oak at 502 N. Jackson Street (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A towering, well-loved willow oak in Ashton Heights came down today (Monday) to make way for a new single-family home.

The downfall of the tree at 502 N. Jackson Street came despite the efforts of many nearby residents, who posted messages, poems and letters of protest on the oak’s trunk in recent days.

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