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An incoming Italian restaurant in Ballston has posted signage and is moving forward with plans to open in about a year.

Grazie Nonna, a full-service restaurant inspired by the home cooking of its founder’s grandmother, hopes to open in mid-2027 at 4075 Wilson Blvd, a spokesperson told ARLnow. Signs direct visitors to the establishment’s Instagram and a newsletter for more updates.


News

A new fleet of robots delivering food in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor is turning heads and sparking some community debate.

Since they began carrying their first Uber Eats orders last week, the self-driving bots from the company Avride have mostly earned curious glances and photos from local residents, who can now select a robot delivery option from establishments like TNR Cafe in Courthouse and Bakeshop in Clarendon.


Around Town

A new wine bar with a menu inspired by Northern Italy and decor hearkening back to the golden age of air travel has opened in Crystal City.

With an on-site sommelier offering suggestions on wines from around the world, a bar modeled after a cross-section of an airplane wing and a listening room with a wide library of vinyl records, Altitude has opened its doors at 2011 Crystal Drive.


Around Town

Some Arlington customers ordering on Uber Eats can now get their food delivered with futuristic flair — and no delivery driver.

Self-driving delivery robots, which began exploring the sidewalks of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor back in April, will begin providing their services today (Wednesday). From 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at participating restaurants, customers will be able to select whether to have a bot or a human courier deliver their food.


Around Town

After two years of connecting with local businesses, exploring Arlington’s wide-ranging food scene and satisfying residents’ questions and curiosity, reporter Katie Taranto is leaving ARLnow.

Taranto, who is departing to cover federal climate policy at the trade publication Inside EPA, wrote prolifically about the arrival and departure of countless restaurants and retailers in Arlington, while still finding time to appreciate the quirks and unique character of the county’s diverse communities.


Around Town

A supper club with Latin American cuisine and an afterlife-inspired theme debuts in Clarendon later this month.

The new restaurant and nightlife spot Cielo opens Tuesday, June 16, following two years of preparations at 1137 N. Highland Street. Restaurateur Michael Sina told ARLnow he hopes to offer an upscale, “fully immersive experience” with dining and music, centered around a “heaven and hell” aesthetic.


Around Town

A new option for weekend brunch in Clarendon comes with an audiophile twist.

Oasis: The Listening Bar has begun hosting live jazz music from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays at 2940 Clarendon Blvd, offering sweet and savory Japanese dishes and patio seating along with the tunes.


Around Town

On weekends in the Arlington Forest neighborhood, locals may notice a pink bake stand loaded with fresh bagels, cookies and loaves of sourdough for pickup.

Isabella Fortunato started the stand, Crumb to Mama, about nine months ago from her home kitchen. A self-described “local sourdough dealer,” Fortunato runs the microbakery with Saturday morning pickups from her driveway.


Around Town

After about a year of preparations, a Nashville-inspired burgers-and-fries franchise is seeking to open soon in the Buckingham neighborhood.

Nash & Smashed aims to open next month at 310 N. Glebe Road, serving up hot chicken, sandwiches and smash burgers, Chief Operating Officer Lamaan Malik told ARLnow. The restaurant, which replaces a former Boost Mobile, will have seating for 25 guests and will stay open late throughout the week.


Around Town

A Clarendon barbecue restaurant earned a recent feature on “Signature Dish,” a WETA program highlighting standout cuisine in the D.C. area.

A plate of cedar plank smoked salmon at Smokecraft Modern Barbecue (1051 N. Highland Street) was one of three dishes highlighted on the show’s “BBQ Bonanza” episode this week, where host Seth Tillman “follows the aroma of smoke across the DMV.”


Around Town

A popular fried chicken franchise from South Korea is celebrating the grand opening of its first D.C.-area location in Ballston today (Friday).

BHC Chicken, which describes itself as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise,” plans to offer three free chicken tenders to its first 100 guests from today through Sunday at 875 N. Randolph Street, in the former Hangry Joe’s spot.


Around Town

An all-you-can-eat sushi spot is replacing the shuttered Takohachi Japanese Restaurant on Columbia Pike.

Signs for the new restaurant, MoMoGoGo, have appeared at a storefront at 2501 Columbia Pike in Penrose Square, where Takohachi closed earlier this year. MoMoGoGo — which plans to serve “fresh sushi & Japanese cuisine,” according to its website — has received work permits and is currently hiring.


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