Around Town

A new restaurant is preparing to replace the now-shuttered Ya Hala Bistro in Bluemont.

The forthcoming tenant, Al Shami Restaurant, hopes to open at 5216 Wilson Blvd in the next couple weeks, serving dishes similar to its predecessor, owner Basima Chouban told ARLnow.


Around Town

Still making plans to ring in the New Year?

Numerous restaurants, bars and venues across Arlington have planned festivities with champagne and live entertainment leading up to midnight on New Year’s Eve. From the Clarendon Ballroom to the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, here are just a few of many options to kick off 2025 in Arlington.


Around Town

A festive selection of cocktails and treats can be found at Clarendon’s Colada Shop through the end of the month.

The restaurant at 2811 Clarendon Blvd is spending its first winter at The Crossing Clarendon with twinkling decor and a Cuban-inspired seasonal menu.


Around Town

A cafe and juice bar across from the Clarendon Metro station closed permanently this month.

Waterhouse Coffee at 3033 Wilson Blvd served its last customers on Dec. 1. The cafe is the latest tenant to shutter on the ground floor of the office building amid redevelopment plans.


Around Town

A fast-casual Italian restaurant serving customizable pasta bowls has a new timeline for its Ballston opening.

Scolapasta has been in development across from the Ballston Metro station since February. While initially hoping to open this past summer, owner Burak Temel said the restaurant now expects to open its doors this spring.


Around Town

A karaoke bar and restaurant in Crystal City plans to open its doors in the next few weeks.

After nearly a year of development, Lantern Restaurant & Bar is preparing to open toward the end of this month or in early January, co-owner Shen Zhao told ARLnow.


Around Town

A new parkour gym for kids is scheduled to open tomorrow (Friday) in Shirlington.

Scramble Parkour, an indoor facility on the lower level of 2900 S. Quincy Street, offers obstacle courses resembling those seen in shows like “Wipeout” and “American Ninja Warrior.” It promises a safe, clean environment where “adrenaline meets adventure.”


Around Town

A longtime family-owned Thai restaurant on Langston Blvd has taken on a new name and look, along with some new menu items.

Thai Thai rebranded to Thai Leaf this fall under the ownership of Pichamon Dobson, a family friend of the previous owner. While Dobson spent months renovating the restaurant at 5123 Langston Blvd, much of Thai Thai’s cuisine lives on under the same chef.


Around Town

A forthcoming rooftop restaurant and bar in Courthouse aims to serve classic American meals in a fun, relaxed setting.

The previously unnamed restaurant at 2424 Wilson Blvd is called Rooftop Recess, and its menu will feature “expertly handcrafted cocktails and outstanding American cuisine,” according to its website. The restaurant expects to open in early 2025.


Around Town

A skincare studio offering monthly facial memberships plans to open this summer in Clarendon.

With personalized, 30-minute “results-driven” facials from licensed estheticians, Glowbar expects to open between July and September at 2930 Clarendon Blvd, founder Rachel Liverman told ARLnow. The address currently houses a Verizon store.


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