Clarendon | ARLnow.com

Suspect in Stolen Zipcar Leads Metro PD on Chase

Published May 20, 2014 at 3:35PM

The 2014 Nissan Sentra was reportedly stolen from the Zipcar parking around the Ballston Metro Station. It was spotted by the MTPD officer around midnight, driving eastbound on Fairfax Drive in Virginia Square without its headlights on. The officer turned on his emergency lights and made a U-turn to attempt to stop the vehicle.

The driver in the Zipcar refused to stop and led the officer on a 0.3 mile chase down Fairfax Drive toward Clarendon. The vehicle ended up driving over a sidewalk near the Silver Diner (3112 Wilson Blvd) before the suspect bailed out and left the vehicle on a sidewalk across from the Clarendon Metro station.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 14, 2014 at 9:15AM

La Tagliatella Expansion Plans on Hold — La Tagliatella, the Europe-based Italian restaurant chain that opened in Clarendon only to receive a scathing review from Washington Post restaurant critic Tom Sietsema, is putting its U.S. expansion plans on hold. That includes the chain’s planned Shirlington location, in the former Extra Virgin space. The Clarendon location will remain open for the time being. [Washington Business Journal]

Remembering Arlington’s ‘Little Saigon’ — The timing of two separate events helped to transform the Clarendon neighborhood into a cluster of Vietnamese stores and restaurants known as “Little Saigon” in the 1970s and 80s. One event was the Vietnam War and the Communist takeover of Vietnam, which drove tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees to the United States. The other was the construction of Metro, which drove away mom and pop businesses from Clarendon and forced landlords to lower their rents and seek new tenants. [Falls Church News-Press]

Around Town

Nicecream Factory Now Open in Clarendon

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 12, 2014 at 5:00PM

Nicecream Factory, an ice cream shop that features the frozen confection made-to-order using liquid nitrogen, is now open at 2831 Clarendon Blvd.

The shop opened last Wednesday in the former Red Mango space. The shop was “packed” this weekend, according to co-owner Sandra Tran. Many customers read about the shop on ARLnow.com last month, she said, but a few others had been clamoring for her to open when they walked by during the shop’s buildout, which she said took less than a month.

News

County Adopts Noise Ordinance Amid Complaints

By Ethan Rothstein

Published May 12, 2014 at 3:30PM | Updated May 12, 2014 at 4:27PM

Effective immediately, restaurant managers will be liable for the noise of their patrons if it can be heard in a residence 100 feet or more away from midnight to 9:00 a.m in mixed-use areas, which the county outlines in maps of areas like Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City and Columbia Pike.

Anywhere in the county, from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. anyone who can be heard “yelling, wailing, shouting or screaming” can receive a ticket for $100 or more.

News

Some Clarendon Residents Up in Arms About Noise Ordinance Changes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 9, 2014 at 6:05PM

The email listserv of the Clarendon-Courthouse Civic Association (CCCA) erupted today in protest over changes to Arlington’s noise ordinance, which the County Board is scheduled to vote on tomorrow (Saturday).

The changes are needed in order to allow police to objectively enforce the noise ordinance; the current ordinance contains subjective enforcement provisions that were struck down by the state Supreme Court. The ordinance attempts to address what county officials say are the top four noise-related complaints in Arlington: loud parties or gatherings, construction noise, animal noises and live entertainment venues.

Around Town

County Board to Consider Permit for ‘Clarendon Night Market’

By ARLnow.com

Published May 8, 2014 at 2:50PM | Updated May 8, 2014 at 5:48PM

The Arlington County Board is scheduled to consider a use permit for two new biweekly markets at its Saturday meeting. The outdoor markets would be held on alternating Saturdays and Sundays in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Bank at 3140 Washington Blvd, a block and a half from the Clarendon Metro station.

Organized by the Clarendon Alliance, one of the biweekly markets will be called the Spark Market. It’s described as a “juried art market” for artists and designers. The market is being managed by Jessica Blaszczak, who ran the former Ballston Arts Market, and will be open on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting June 8, should the use permit be approved.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 5, 2014 at 10:00AM | Updated May 5, 2014 at 10:19AM

CEB May Anchor New Rosslyn Skyscraper — The Corporate Executive Board is considering jumping ship from its current Rosslyn office to anchor the planned office skyscraper in JBG’s Central Place development in Rosslyn. Should a deal with JBG go through, construction would start on the office skyscraper, which is currently on hold even though its companion residential skyscraper is being built. [Washington Business Journal]

WaPo Takes on Clarendon — “In the past decade and a half, Clarendon has seen a steady influx of hip eateries, high-rise condo buildings and happy 20-somethings in search of organic quinoa,” writes the Washington Post, in an article about “what to do in Clarendon.” [Washington Post]

Around Town

Amsterdam Falafelshop to Open in Former BGR Space

By ARLnow.com

Published April 30, 2014 at 10:50AM

Photo courtesy Amsterdam Falafelshop

We now know where and when the new Amsterdam Falafelshop in Clarendon will be opening.

The falafel restaurant will be opening at 3024 Wilson Blvd, in the former BGR: The Burger Joint space. Despite its prized location just steps from the Clarendon Metro station, BGR closed in January after 3 years in business.

Events

‘Cinco de MEGA-Crawl’ Planned Saturday

By ARLnow.com

Published April 28, 2014 at 11:45AM

The Cinco de Mayo-themed “Cinco de MEGA-Crawl” will be held from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, according to organizer GoCity Events. Tickets are available online for $15.

GoCity, which also organizes the annual Shamrock Fest in D.C., says participating bars include Clarendon Grill, Velocity 5, Mad Rose Tavern, Greene Turtle, Hunan One, Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, Mister Days, Wilson Tavern, Hard Times and “more to be added.” The crawl will feature “exclusive drink and food specials at each stop” and “Cinco de Mayo festivities, entertainment, music & fun.”

Around Town

Amsterdam Falafelshop Coming to Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published April 28, 2014 at 10:50AM

The fast food restaurant, known for its falafel sandwiches and fries, is currently hiring managers for a new Clarendon location. The job posting notes that a manager is also needed for a late night shift.

Amsterdam Falafelshop’s original location is on 18th Street NW in Adam’s Morgan. It has been expanding, with locations opening in Boston, Annapolis and on 14th Street NW in D.C.

Around Town

Is Le Sandwich in Clarendon Closed Already?

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 25, 2014 at 4:30PM

Le Sandwich, the gourmet sandwich shop that opened March 23 at 3033 Wilson Blvd, may already be closed.

The shop has been locked all week, with chairs up on tables and the “Le Sandwich” logo scrubbed from the building’s signage. However, the other parts of the Le Sandwich sign, with the phone number and social media logos, remain. Multiple attempts to reach Le Sandwich’s owner, Mehdi Ben, have not been successful.

Around Town

Four Sisters Grill Now Open in Clarendon

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 25, 2014 at 10:00AM | Updated April 27, 2014 at 11:53AM

Four Sisters Grill, the fast-casual Vietnamese restaurant in the former Fat Shorty’s space, is now open to the public.

Owner Hoa Lai opened the restaurant, at 3035 Clarendon Blvd, on April 17 and, other than having to close for minor repairs for two days this week, he said the initial community response has been promising.