Around Town

Pete’s New Haven Apizza, currently of Columbia Heights in the District, will lease a storefront in the new Clarendon Center development. Co-owner Joel Mehr confirms that Pete’s is hoping to open the Arlington restaurant — its third in the D.C. area — at some point this winter.

Washingtonian said the slices at Pete’s are “not only the best in town; they’re worthy of comparison with the best in the country.” Pete’s even got a glowing endorsement from President Obama last fall… seriously.


Around Town

The following is excerpted from the blog Every Food Fits.

Five years ago he was living in Georgia, working as a chef and teaching cooking classes at a cookware shop, a job that he loved. Then, when his wife’s career moved them to Washington, D.C., Kiss took it as an opportunity to change his career.


Around Town

On Saturday night, with the smell of fresh paint mixing with the aroma of espresso beans, Northside Social opened for a private pre-opening celebration.

It was a chance for the new neighborhood hangout to show off some of its well-curated wine and beer selections, as well as a few items from the food menu. It was also a chance for employees of Northside Social and Liberty Tavern — both co-owned by brothers Mark and Stephen Fedorchak — to step back, take a breather, and marvel at the fruits of their labor.


Around Town

People can’t get enough of the pineapple/basil sorbet? I thought that Cristian Velasco, co-owner of Boccato Gelato in Clarendon, was pulling my leg.  “It’s insanely good! It explodes with a pineapple flavor.”

Sitting on a bench outside of 2719 Wilson Blvd., traffic flying by, Velasco animatedly rattled off other flavor combinations. “Elvis Pelvis gelato is made with peanut butter and bananas. A little raspberry sauce on top makes it taste like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” Minty Girl Scout gelato is made with Thin Mint cookies.  And Boccato’s most thrilling flavor of all, XXX, is an almost “sexual experience” with five kinds of chocolate, almonds and nougat.


News

Police detained and questioned two men near the new Northside Social in Clarendon around 1:00 this afternoon, as a lunchtime crowd looked on. Officers were seen blocking off roads and scouring the area, looking for a possible third suspect.

We’re told the police activity had something to do with a reported theft from a nearby cell phone store. Don’t worry, Northside Social’s fancy new Italian espresso machine is safe.


News

Arlington County’s effort to build affordable housing on land owned by the First Baptist Church of Clarendon is facing tough opposition from neighbors who claim the development violates the separation of church and state. One resident has even filed a lawsuit — on constitutional grounds — against the church, the county and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

More from the Washington Post.


News

Spring doesn’t officially start until Saturday, but today felt like anything but winter.

The only complaint one could possibly have this afternoon is the excruciating choice between going out and enjoying the beautiful weather and staying in and watching the NCAA basketball tourney.


Around Town

Last night’s Clarendon St. Patrick’s Day (eve) parade had it all: bagpipers, kids dancing, Mardi Gras beads, roller derby girls, a leprechaun on a unicorn, a Republican congressional candidate, white guys in sombreros, and — of course — drag queens. If you missed it, don’t worry… we took plenty of photos.

Check out the photos after the jump.


Around Town

Spider Kelly’s has quietly taken the paper off the windows and opened for business, attracting about 100 customers last night, its first night open since renovations began in December. What would have been a big crowd at a normal bar was well under a quarter of Spider Kelly’s certified capacity of 455.

Pool tables, shuffleboard tables, dart boards and arcade-style video games have been brought in to add “more fun” to the neighborhood hangout. The well-received, value-priced menu has been expanded (more on that after the jump). Outdoor sidewalk seating for about 32 people will be added once the weather is warm enough, probably by the beginning of May.


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