new restaurant | ARLnow.com

Published March 6, 2014 at 12:00PM | Updated March 6, 2014 at 12:33PM

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) Comedian Bill Cosby joined Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette and other local notables in helping to open the new Ben’s Chili Bowl in Rosslyn this morning.

Cosby’s jokes and antics drew laughs from the large crowd of media and spectators that gathered to see the ribbon cutting for the iconic U Street eatery’s first stand-alone, brick-and-mortar expansion. Other attendees and speakers included the Ali family, which owns the restaurant; the ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago, late founder Ben Ali’s home country; WPGC DJ Shack Nd Pack; and Rosslyn BID President Mary-Claire Burick.

Around Town

Heavy Seas Alehouse in Rosslyn Now Open

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 4, 2014 at 11:45AM

Heavy Seas Alehouse in Rosslyn (1501 Wilson Blvd) opened last week and welcomed big crowds immediately.

General Manager Keith Kirkland said the restaurant has done more than $70,000 in business in just five days, including its soft opening last Wednesday. They’ve also gone through more than 50 kegs of Heavy Seas beer, he said.

Around Town

Pizza Pizza: Little Caesars Coming to the Pike

By Ethan Rothstein

Published February 27, 2014 at 2:30PM | Updated February 27, 2014 at 4:53PM

A new location of the Little Caesars pizza chain is expected to open in the Columbia Pike Plaza shopping center at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street.

The location is in the former AT&T Wireless store at 5025 Columbia Pike, in the shopping center across S. Dinwiddie Street from the Arlington Mill Community Center. There’s no hint of an expected opening date.

Around Town

Paisano’s Coming to Lyon Park

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2014 at 3:35PM

The eatery plans to sell wine and beer, according to a permit application.

No word yet on an opening date for the new restaurant, which is located in Lyon Park. Paisano’s has one location in Arlington — near Crystal City — in addition to two in Falls Church and one in Alexandria.

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Sign Up at New Ben’s Chili Bowl in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published February 21, 2014 at 3:15PM

Workers erected a sign at the new Ben’s Chili Bowl in Rosslyn this morning.

The sign, advertising the landmark D.C. eatery’s half-smokes, burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes, is now up at 1725 Wilson Blvd, which was formerly the home of Ray’s Hell Burger. (Ray’s moved to a new location across the street.)

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Heavy Seas Sets Feb. 27 Opening Date in Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2014 at 10:00AM

Heavy Seas says it will open to the public on Thursday, February 27. It’s the Baltimore brewery’s second restaurant location.

A press release from the company notes that it plans to make food, not just beer, a major draw.

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Taylor Gourmet Eyes May Opening in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

Published February 12, 2014 at 10:45AM

Interior construction on the restaurant, at the Liberty Center South development (4000 Wilson Blvd), is scheduled to start this month, we’re told.

Construction is expected to take about three months, shortly after which the restaurant will open.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 10, 2014 at 9:15AM

APS Boosts Bus Service to TJ, Kenmore — In response to criticism from parents, Arlington Public Schools has extended bus service to more than 200 additional Thomas Jefferson Middle School students. It has also added bus service for another 28 Kenmore Middle School students. [Sun Gazette]

TV Station Goes on Pothole Patrol in Arlington — WUSA9 has gone on “pothole patrol” in Arlington and found “a plethora of pits along North Harrison Street.” One of the station’s attempts to report the potholes online apparently didn’t work and the county acknowledged there were “a few bugs in the system.” We’ve previously reported on pothole problems on Columbia Pike and elsewhere in the county. [WUSA9]

Around Town

Turkish Restaurant Coming to East Falls Church

By Ethan Rothstein

Published January 31, 2014 at 1:30PM

Yayla Bistro, at 2201 N. Westmoreland Street, applied for a liquor license with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Jan. 15, requesting the ability to sell wine and beer on and off premises.

According to an employee at La Côte D’Or Cafe next door, the restaurant will be located in their former private dining room, which was sold recently “to a group that wants to open a Turkish restaurant.”

News

Hookah Lounge, Smoothie Bar to Replace Kung Fu Studio

By ARLnow.com

Published January 29, 2014 at 1:45PM

The Twitter account @alongthepike first reported the news, then wondered aloud about the combination of business lines. “Really? Those go together?” @alongthepike tweeted.

Building permit applications show that a business tentatively called “Al-Huda Hookah & Smoothie Bar” is seeking permission to construct a new interior, with a section for hookah smokers and another for smoothie drinkers. The business will replace the former White Birch Traditional Martial Arts kung fu, tai chi and kettlebell gym, located in the back of the small brick-construction strip mall on the 2500 block of Columbia Pike.

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Heavy Seas Targeting Mid-February Opening in Rosslyn

By Ethan Rothstein

Published January 27, 2014 at 2:30PM

“We are aiming for somewhere around the week of Feb. 17,” The Alehouse said last week. “No official date yet, though.”

The alehouse, affiliated with the Baltimore brewery of the same name, was originally targeting a December opening date. In recent months, it has been hiring staff and, last Friday, announced its Chef de Cuisine would be Marc Kennedy, former executive chef at McCormick & Schmick’s in Crystal City.

Around Town

Taj of India Now Open in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Published January 24, 2014 at 11:05AM

A new Indian restaurant recently opened in Crystal City.

Taj of India opened in the former Cucina Vivace space at 509 23rd Street S. It’s a second storefront for Taj of India, which originally opened in Georgetown 12 years ago.