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.


News

A Ballston-based defense technology firm is investing $19 million to expand its Arlington headquarters and add 210 jobs, doubling its Virginia workforce.

Innovative Defense Technologies, headquartered at 4401 Wilson Blvd, develops automated software tools that help U.S. military programs integrate, test and field new systems faster. The expansion was announced today by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who approved an $800,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to help Arlington land the project.


Events

A locally owned plant shop in Crystal City is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month with giveaways, a market and other activities.

PLNTR, the D.C.-based boutique and nursery known for making an appearance on Season 7 of “Love is Blind,” will host a celebration on Sunday, May 31 at 269 19th Court S. Attractions will include a pop-up market with art and vinyl records and a “flash” tattoo session with Hummingbird Tattoo.


Events

A fair in Falls Church next week will pull together local organizations, games and dining specials to raise funds for an Arlington nonprofit.

“Summer Stomp” is expected to draw more than a dozen local businesses and organizations next Thursday at Harvey’s, an American restaurant at 513 W. Broad Street.


Around Town

A mixed martial arts training studio along Columbia Pike has expanded to a new facility nearby — where, for a few weeks, it will soon host a top-ranking French fighter.

Pentagon MMA opened its new performance center last month on the third floor of the Arlington Drafthouse building (932 S. Walter Reed Drive). The new space has a focus on adult classes, training and recovery, with spaces for mixed martial arts and physical therapy — as well as plans to host an international athlete this summer.


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.


Around Town

Solset, a new rooftop bar in Clarendon, has opened for business this week, joining the neighborhood’s bustling happy hour scene.

The bar, situated atop the new “supper club“-inspired restaurant, The Boulevard, offers cocktails and “modern American food with a little bit of Asian fusion,” co-owner Nico Karagounis told ARLnow. The restaurant and bar replaced Wilson Hardware, refreshing the 8,000-square-foot space at 2915 Wilson Blvd with a revamped interior and new menu.


Around Town

A game bar and brewery in Clarendon closed its doors last week after eight years in business, citing high rent and labor costs.

The Board Room’s last day in business at 925 N. Garfield Street was Thursday, owner Mark Handwerger told ARLnow. A 35-year veteran of the D.C.-area bar space, he said that business never fully recovered from the pandemic and struggled with high overhead costs.


Around Town

A popular D.C. gastropub is bringing its acclaimed burgers to Arlington through a new fast-casual kiosk at Water Park.

Known for its East London-inspired pub fare, Duke’s Grocery is preparing a new spinoff, Duke’s Burgers, at the outdoor Crystal City venue. There, the restaurant — voted “Best Burger in DC” for 10 consecutive years in Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of DC’ — plans to serve up its signature burgers and bites in a fast-casual setting.


Around Town

Italian restaurant Carbonara is celebrating two years of business in Virginia Square, and its owner has some big plans for the next few months.

Chef Mike Cordero, the prolific restaurateur behind the acclaimed “old school” eatery at 3865 Wilson Blvd, told ARLnow he will soon roll out a new Italian cookbook, “Respect the Sauce,” while he prepares to expand with a second location in Prince William County this June.


Around Town

A new restaurant from the founder of a fast-casual Middle Eastern chain appears to be underway at a vacant Clarendon storefront.

A permit application filed this month requests interior alterations at 3137 Wilson Blvd for a business under the name “Clarendon Eats.” The application was filed on behalf of Ahmad Ashkar, the entrepreneur behind fast-casual chain Falafel Inc.


Around Town

A combination restaurant, bar and art gallery in Ballston is hosting a farewell party this weekend after five years in business.

Whino Restaurant and Bar’s last happy hour and dinner service will take place from 4-11 p.m. this Friday, on the second level of Ballston Quarter at 4238 Wilson Blvd. After that, the business is throwing a final party with painting, free food and DJs from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. on Saturday.


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