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A family-owned steakhouse and raw bar from Maryland hosted a ribbon cutting at its first Virginia restaurant yesterday (Monday) in Falls Church.

Olney-based GrillMarX is now open in the Little City, serving hand-cut steaks, hearty entrees and Virginia wines at 510 S. Washington Street. The new two-level restaurant hosted its grand opening on the ground floor of 455 at Tinner Hill apartments.


Around Town

The wait is over in Crystal City for Toastique, a D.C.-based “gourmet toast” eatery opening this weekend.

Grand opening festivities begin this Saturday at 244 19th Court S., on the ground floor of Reva apartments. The new cafe serves a variety of sweet and savory loaded toasts, plant-based breakfasts, smoothies and coffee.


Around Town

A new one-stop shop for Filipino breakfast sandwiches and baked goods opened over the weekend in Pentagon City.

Gwenie’s Pastries x Lapu Lapu, owned and operated by acclaimed culinary sibling duo Stella and Javier Fernandez, offers breakfast and baked goods under one roof at 1417 S. Fern Street. It is the first brick-and-mortar location in Virginia for both Maryland-based businesses.


Around Town

A new golf-inspired tavern is teeing up to replace Bartaco’s vacant space at Ballston Quarter.

Loopers Tavern, a restaurant and bar “inspired by the traditions and camaraderie of golf caddies” is Arlington restaurateur Reese Gardner’s newest project, fresh off the opening of Nettie’s Tavern earlier this month. He hopes to open Loopers at 4238 Wilson Blvd, where Bartaco exited in March, he told ARLnow.


News

A new high-rise Hilton hotel opened for business yesterday (Tuesday) in Rosslyn, bringing new events spaces and an American restaurant to the former Holiday Inn site.

Guests are now welcome at the 36-story Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key, equipped with new amenities including a bar and two eateries: the Locket restaurant and Scott’s Coffee Shop & Mart.


Around Town

A new juice shop is coming to Pizza Roma’s former space near the Ballston Metro station, after Scolapasta backed out of plans there this spring.

Paradise Juice has signed a lease and is preparing to open at 4219 Fairfax Drive, owner Sal Salim told ARLnow. He hopes to differentiate the shop from competitors by preparing juices in-house.


Around Town

An award-winning fast-casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern street foods is planning to open in a new location in Crystal City.

Falafel Inc has confirmed plans to open at 500 23rd Street S. on Restaurant Row, where Burke & Herbert Bank closed in 2023. The restaurant, which currently has a spot in nearby Water Park, is known for its affordable prices and efforts to fund food assistance for refugees.


Around Town

The empty space left by Corner Bakery Cafe in Courthouse is getting a new restaurant, possibly by this fall.

Rocoto’s Restaurant and Bakery hopes to bring “high-end casual” Tex-Mex and Latin American fusion to 2111 Wilson Blvd, owner Jaime Vargas told ARLnow. The restaurant is under construction and recently applied for a state liquor license.


Around Town

A new Japanese restaurant and speakeasy with a menu from a Michelin-starred sushi chef is underway in Courthouse.

Construction has begun on Saki, a sushi restaurant at 2055 15th Street N. by partners Nick Cordero and Greg Lee. The restaurant hopes to offer high quality sushi and cocktails in a casual atmosphere.


Around Town

A coffeehouse franchise based in Japan plans to open its first East Coast location in Pentagon City.

Takagi Coffee has inked a deal at 721 15th Street S., in between Tend and Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House. The cafe applied for a commercial building permit last Friday.


Around Town

A new “Eurofusion” restaurant and bar with specialty dry-aged meats is preparing to open in Pentagon City later this year.

Ember Kitchen and Spirits is targeting a winter opening at 1301 S. Joyce Street, where Irish gastropub Mattie and Eddie’s closed last year. It plans to offer quality cuts of meat and European-inspired dishes, while hosting events involving dancing and live music, founder Nicholas Mounts told ARLnow.


Around Town

Panera Bread is coming to Crystal City.

The fast-casual chain known for its soups, salads and sandwiches has confirmed plans to open at 2450 Crystal Drive. Construction has started in the vacant retail bay next to Navy Federal Credit Union, where Panera received a permit to build last month.


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