coffee | ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2014 at 10:00AM

The fast food chain is offering its customers either a free small hot coffee or a medium iced coffee with their meal to promote its “new specialty-grade THRIVE Farmers Coffee,” and for International Coffee Day today (Monday).

Other establishments around the area are participating in giveaways for the “holiday,” with McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts both offering free coffee today (McDonald’s is giving away a small and Dunkin Donuts a medium). Peet’s Coffee’s new Shirlington location (4115 Campbell Ave.) is also offering a buy one, get one free deal for a coffee or espresso drink.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 23, 2014 at 9:15AM

Arlington Wages, Employment Falling — The average weekly wage in Arlington was $1,588 in the fourth quarter of 2013, the eighth-highest wage among large U.S. counties. However, the average wage was down 2.4 percent compared to one year prior, and the number of people employed in Arlington was down 1.1 percent. [InsideNova]

Peet’s Sets Opening Date — The new Peet’s Coffee and Tea in Shirlington has reportedly set June 28 as an opening day. Peet’s replaced the former Caribou Coffee store. [Shirlington Village Blog Spot]

Around Town

Peet’s Coffee Expected to Open in Shirlington Next Month

By ARLnow.com

Published May 7, 2014 at 4:45PM

Construction was being performed on the interior of the store today. That construction is expected to wrap up and the new Peet’s coffee shop is expected to open “in approximately 6 weeks,” according to Molly Hippolitus, a spokeswoman for the Village at Shirlington shopping center.

Minneapolis-based Caribou announced last year that it would be closing about half of its stores and converting the others to the California-based Peet’s brand.

Around Town

Rosslyn Coffee Shop Garnering Rave Reviews

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 27, 2014 at 9:55AM | Updated February 27, 2014 at 12:41PM

Clark Donat at Caffe Aficionado (file photo)

(Updated at 12:40 p.m.) Adiam Berhane can be seen almost every day at her independent coffee shop at 1919 N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn buzzing about, bussing tables, serving drinks and carrying on conversations with customers like she’s hosting a large Sunday dinner.

Berhane opened Caffe Aficionado with her partner, Clark Donat, in October, and ever since it has been drawing something rare in this age of online criticism — almost universally positive reviews. It has a full five-star rating on Yelp after 26 reviews, rare for even the most well-regarded restaurants. Local food critic Don Rockwell was glowing in his review as well.

Around Town

New Rosslyn Coffee Shop To Open Next Month

By Ethan Rothstein

Published September 12, 2013 at 1:30PM

Caffe Aficionado, at 1919 N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn, is making its final preparations to open “within a month,” says owner Adiam Berhane.

Caffe Aficionado will specialize in American gourmet coffee and tea with an Italian flair. Berhane, who spent part of her childhood in Italy, will be shipping in coffee from Handsome Coffee in Los Angeles, which she thinks is better than many of the coffee brands other specialty shops in the area offer.

Events

Latte Art Competition Coming to Courthouse

By Ethan Rothstein

Published August 5, 2013 at 2:35PM

Thursday Night Throwdown, a monthly competition for local coffee professionals, will be coming to Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) on Thursday. The event opens to the public at 8:30 p.m. and the competition begins at 9:00. The restaurant is technically closed during the event, but spectators can still what the competition and drink some artfully designed lattes.

About 30 baristas are expected to compete in the throwdown, fashioning leaves, hearts and more designs into the foam that sits atop the coffee drink. The event occurs monthly at a variety of small, independent coffee shops around the region, but only comes to Northern Virginia every once in a while.

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Sweet Leaf Cafe Opens in Courthouse

By Katie Pyzyk

Published May 21, 2013 at 12:20PM

The new Sweet Leaf Cafe in Courthouse quietly opened its doors this past weekend and handed out free food to customers who stopped in. Now, the restaurant is officially open for business.

Sweet Leaf Cafe moved in at 2200 Wilson Blvd, formerly occupied by Hikaru Sushi. It is the third location, with others in McLean and Vienna. Owner Arita Matini said she’s been wanting to expand into Arlington for a while.

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Change, Closure for Caribou Coffee in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published April 9, 2013 at 1:55PM

According to employees, the Crystal City location will close its doors after Sunday, April 14. The store is currently offering merchandise like coffee, mugs and coffee makers for 50 percent off, we’re told.

The Shirlington location will remain open for now but will be converted to a Peet’s Coffee and Tea store “at some point this fall,” an employee said.

Around Town

New Coffee Shop Coming to Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published December 6, 2012 at 12:55PM

Caffe Aficionado is hoping to open at 1919 N. Lynn Street, near the main entrance of the Corporate Executive Board building, at some point in April or May 2013. Owner Adiam Berhane, who spent part of her childhood in Italy, says she’s going for an Italian vibe, eschewing the laid back “Northwestern” vibe of Starbucks and other coffee chains, while serving American coffee.

“America beats Italy in coffee,” Berhane said. “I probably won’t be allowed back in the country after saying that.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 24, 2012 at 9:05AM

Clarendon Day Draws a Crowd — Thousands enjoyed “picture perfect” weather at the annual 15th Clarendon Day street festival and 10K/5K race (photo, above) on Saturday. [Patch]

Victories for Yorktown, DJO, W-L — In local football action over the weekend, Yorktown defeated Hayfield 17-10 and Bishop O’Connell defeated Carroll 38-7 over the weekend. Both teams are now undefeated with a record of 4-0. Washington-Lee is now 2-2 after beating Mount Vernon 41-20. Wakefield is 0-4 after losing another lopsided game. The Warriors fell to Freedom South Riding 55-6.

Around Town

Oby Lee Winery and Coffee Shop Opens in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published June 27, 2012 at 11:00AM

The restaurant is the inland version of the small chain of eponymous coffee shops owner Oby Lee once ran along the Delaware Shore. In addition to coffee and espresso drinks, the eatery also offers (via its flat screen TV menu displays) pastries, salads, fruit smoothies, wine, and tapas dishes. Seating is available both inside and outside the establishment.

Oby Lee is still in the “soft opening” stage, and is hoping to hire and train staff soon. While it was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner yesterday — its first day in business — Lee says he hasn’t set any definitive store hours yet. A more formal grand opening is expected later this summer.

Around Town

Arax Cafe in Westover Has Closed

By ARLnow.com

Published June 26, 2012 at 3:05PM | Updated June 26, 2012 at 3:28PM

Arax Cafe (5852 Washington Blvd) in the Westover neighborhood has closed its doors for good.

A sign in the window of the now-empty coffee shop reads: “To our extended family… we are sorry to announce we are closing at the end of the month. Thank you for 11 fabulous years!”