Around Town | ARLnow.com

Culinary Job Training Organization La Cocina Moving to Columbia Pike

Published November 5, 2019 at 1:35PM | Updated November 5, 2019 at 2:03PM

Chefs in the La Cocina, now Kitchen of Purpose (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 2 p.m.) Arlington’s culinary school La Cocina is planning to add a cafe and a business incubator — as well as triple the number of students it teaches.

The bilingual non-profit donates healthy meals and trains Hispanic immigrants for culinary jobs. But now La Cocina is planning to move from the basement of a church near Ballston to a 5,000-square-foot space in the affordable Gilliam Place housing development at 3507 Columbia Pike, where the organization’s CEO and Founder Patricia Funegra says La Cocina will help residents cook up new businesses.

El Fuego Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Arlington Restaurant

By Kalina Newman

Published November 5, 2019 at 11:05AM | Updated November 5, 2019 at 11:51AM

(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) After one year in Arlington, Peruvian restaurant El Fuego (2300 N. Pershing Drive) is still going strong.

On the heels of its one-year anniversary in the county, El Fuego owner Manny Alfaro says new things are on the way, including a new drink menu with beer, wine, and Pisco cocktails — as soon as the restaurant obtains its Virginia ABC permit.

Arlington Man Causes a Stir As Max Scherzer Doppelganger

By Kalina Newman

Published November 5, 2019 at 10:00AM

Arlington resident Kevin Kramer, aka not Max Scherzer (photo courtesy Timur Tugberk/Designing the District)

An Arlington man looks so much like Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer that he had to be escorted by the police during the team’s World Series parade on Saturday.

Kevin Kramer, who’s lived in Arlington for the last 20 years, had his first fan interaction four years ago in an ALDI grocery store.

Clarendon Sports Bar Offers to Refund All Checks If Nats Go Back-to-Back

By ARLnow.com

Published November 4, 2019 at 3:00PM

Bracket Room in Clarendon (photo via Facebook)

The restaurant business has notoriously thin profit margins. Which makes a new promotion from Clarendon sports bar Bracket Room (1210 N. Garfield Street) seem extra risky.

The restaurant, which opened in 2013 and is co-owned by Chris Bukowski of Bachelor fame, says it will refund the checks of every guest for the entire year if the Washington Nationals go back-to-back and win another World Series in 2020.

JUST IN: Gold’s Gym Closing in Courthouse

By ARLnow.com

Published November 1, 2019 at 5:45PM

The Gold’s Gym in Courthouse will be closing Dec. 1, according to a letter to members obtained by ARLnow.

The letter, sent today (Friday), says that the fitness chain made “several attempts to come to a lease renewal agreement with the landlord” but ultimately made the decision to close. Members will instead be transferred to the Gold’s Gym on N. Fillmore Street in Clarendon.

Photos: Trick or Treaters Pose for Portraits at Ballston Quarter

By Jay Westcott

Published November 1, 2019 at 3:30PM

Joanne, John, and James McGraw (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Despite a Tornado Watch and a forecast calling for severe weather, dozens of Arlingtonians descended on Ballston Quarter to trick-or-treat in the shopping center on Halloween.

ARLnow was there and some costumed characters posed for our cameras.

Pentagon Row Ice Skating Rink Opens for Season

By ARLnow.com

Published November 1, 2019 at 1:30PM

Pentagon Row ice skating rink in a prior year (courtesy photo)

Just in time for the start of November and the arrival of cold weather, the ice rink at Pentagon Row is now open.

The outdoor rink in Pentagon City will be open daily through mid-March. In addition to skating for individuals and families, the rink also offers skating lessons, birthday parties and opportunities for group fundraisers.

Lebanese Taverna Looking to Open This Month in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published November 1, 2019 at 11:05AM

Lebanese Taverna is hoping to open its “LebTav” fast-casual concept later this month in Ballston.

It’s part of a new expansion push by the Arlington-based local chain, which includes a new location that’s planned to open in the Pentagon late next year.

Naan Kabob Is Closed for ‘Renovations’

By Airey

Published October 31, 2019 at 1:30PM

The Naan Kabob restaurant posted a closure sign on its front door (Staff photo by Airey)

Naan Kabob near Clarendon is closed — at least for now.

The Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi buffet-style restaurant at 3300 Wilson Blvd has posted a sign saying it is “closed for renovations” on its front doors. However, a staff member told ARLnow in an email yesterday (Wednesday) that the restaurant is closed “permanently.”

Video: Ovi and the Caps Celebrate Nats Win in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published October 31, 2019 at 9:00AM

Champagne was spraying, people were jumping around and the whole room filled with deafening shouts.

That was the scene at the Washington Capitals’ annual Halloween party last night, as the Stanley Cup-winning hockey team celebrated D.C.’s newest champions, the World Series-winning Nationals.

Arlington Kabob Owners Taking Over Former Afghan Kabob House in Courthouse

By Kalina Newman

Published October 30, 2019 at 1:30PM

After over a decade in business, a beloved kabob restaurant in Courthouse will be changing hands this week.

Mere hours after Afghan Kabob House shutters its doors for good tomorrow (Thursday), Courthouse Kabob will open in its place the next morning.

Arlington’s First Running Studio Opening This Weekend in Clarendon

By Kalina Newman

Published October 30, 2019 at 11:00AM

Treadmills at Formula Running Center (staff photo by Kalina Newman)

Arlington’s first indoor running studio is opening this weekend in Clarendon.

Formula Running Center (3101 Wilson Blvd) features coached treadmill and strength workouts for runners at all levels, in addition to runner recovery resources and private training.