Around Town

A Courthouse bakery and cafe with New Orleans roots is celebrating 15 years of business this week with free treats and a lunchtime special.

Bayou Bakery is serving free orders of baby beignets to the first 100 guests after doors open at 7 a.m. on Thursday morning. The restaurant at 1515 N Courthouse Road will also offer a deal at lunchtime that day: a soup and sandwich combo for $15.


News

Donation and service events for local families in need are taking place at Roman Catholic parishes across Arlington this weekend.

The projects, part of over 100 events happening in the Diocese of Arlington as part of a “Week of Service,” include food drives, meal-packing events, fundraisers and other efforts to benefit the community.


News

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the combination of the longest government shutdown, the mass firings of government workers and a fresh cut in federal food aid, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington is bracing for the swell of people who will need its help before the holiday season.

The food bank, which serves 400 pantries and aid organizations in the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and two Maryland counties, is providing 8 million more meals than it had prepared to this budget year — a nearly 20% increase.


Around Town

A new wine bar with a selection of vinyl records and a cafe with a gourmet market are coming to Crystal City.

Both Altitude Wine Bar and Constellation, a cafe and gourmet market, will be installed at 2011 Crystal Drive — adjacent to the forthcoming pedestrian bridge connecting Crystal City to the airport. Episcope Hospitality, the group behind Water Park, plans to construct both establishments “inspired by the elegance of the golden age of travel and exploration.”


Around Town

This is a free preview of the restaurant tracker report sent monthly to ARLnow Press Club members. Join the club to get this and other exclusive features, like our Court Update monthly emails and the ad-free Pro Update daily newsletter.

Hi everyone, this is Katie Taranto, with more updates for ARLnow Press Club members on food and drink in Arlington and Falls Church.


News

Former President Joe Biden turned an ordinary birthday celebration into a uniquely memorable one shortly after dining in Virginia Square last weekend.

A group of Washington-Liberty High School students were out to dinner at Carbonara on Sunday when they noticed what appeared to be Secret Service members and the 46th president.


Around Town

The Little City has big flavors, and so does Arlington, according to one recent list of Northern Virginia’s best restaurants.

Twelve restaurants in Falls Church and Arlington made Northern Virginia Magazine’s list of The 50 Best Restaurants in Northern Virginia for 2025 — including three establishments in the top 10.


Around Town

An organic eatery encouraging diners to “eat positive” is opening soon in Ballston.

Life Alive Cafe intends to open on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 818 N. Quincy Street, filling a retail bay that held Bruegger’s Bagels until April 2023.


Around Town

A new Korean barbecue restaurant has opened for business near Crystal City’s Restaurant Row with grilling options aplenty.

Pi BBQ and Bar, located at 420 23rd Street S., promises “an extensive menu featuring premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood and a variety of traditional Korean dishes” in a modern atmosphere. The restaurant replaces a vacancy left by the Chinese restaurant Young Chow in 2023.


Around Town

A fast casual Middle Eastern restaurant is now open on Restaurant Row after relocating from Water Park.

Falafel Inc opened last week at 500 23rd Street S. after departing its previous Crystal City kiosk at 1601 Crystal Drive. The D.C.-based chain, known for its affordability and award-winning falafel, replaces a bank that closed in 2023.


Around Town

Ruthie’s All-Day and Our Mom Eugenia made it in The Washington Post’s new “40 Best Restaurants in and Around D.C.” list.

Departing Post food critic Tom Sietsema featured the two restaurants in his annual list of the top 40 restaurants across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, which came out yesterday (Wednesday).


Around Town

A week of countywide dining deals kicks off on Monday with the return of the annual Arlington Restaurant Week.

Over 80 Arlington restaurants plan to offer discounts, specials and prix fixe meals from Oct. 13-20 as part of the yearly promotion by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Participants range from fast-casual to formal dining and include local favorites like The Italian Store.


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