restaurant | ARLnow.com

Pines of Italy Skips Neighbor Outreach, Asks For Entertainment Permit

Published January 21, 2013 at 1:10PM

The restaurant has been seeking a live entertainment permit since last spring. The permit, which would allow live music and dancing, has proven controversial with neighbors, who cited problems with noise, violence and public drunkenness at the location in the past. The Board twice deferred consideration of the permit last year, each time asking the owners of Pines of Italy to do more outreach to neighbors.

According to county staff, that outreach has still not occurred. While staff is recommending another deferral, the restaurant is apparently asking for the Board to vote on the permit once and for all.

Opinion

Restaurant Talk: Food Trucks on the Decline?

By Nick Freshman

Published January 21, 2013 at 9:00AM

Restaurant Talk is a new, occasional feature written by Nick Freshman, a native Arlingtonian and co-owner of Spider Kelly’s and Eventide Restaurant in Clarendon.

Hello ARLnow readers! I have been a fan of this site since its earliest days, and I am now proud to be a contributor. I am amazed at the dining public’s bottomless appetite for content about restaurants and food culture. As an operator, I think this is great, and the attention certainly contributes to every operator’s success. However, there does seem to be an occasional disconnect between the dining public and restaurant professionals. I hope to offer a bridge between the two by providing an insider’s perspective on trends and issues that pertain to our business. And since I am a local, and this is the most local of websites, it will have an Arlington twist.

Around Town

Memphis Barbeque Closes, At Least Temporarily

By ARLnow.com

Published January 11, 2013 at 3:55PM | Updated January 11, 2013 at 4:26PM

The restaurant has “closed for reorganization,” according to its website, and as pointed out in the ARLnow.com Forums earlier this week. The restaurant’s phone number has been disconnected and its owner could not be reached for clarification.

The restaurant opened in December 2011. It’s owned by Memphis native and restaurant veteran Chris George, who recruited Redrick Rayborn, formerly the manager of a Memphis-area barbecue restaurant, to serve as “pit master.”

Around Town

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Closes in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published January 11, 2013 at 10:00AM

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill (2900 Clarendon Blvd) has closed its Clarendon location, just shy of the one-year anniversary of its opening.

The restaurant has already taken down the “Lime” sign above the entrance and posted a notice on the door. Customers are being encouraged to go to Lime’s remaining location at Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce Street).

Around Town

Space Still Available at Local NYE Celebrations

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 28, 2012 at 12:05PM | Updated December 28, 2012 at 12:29PM

A number of venues still have space available for their celebrations, but some will increase ticket prices at the door. Options also exist for those in search of family friendly activities. Here are some of the celebrations around Arlington:

Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse — (2903 Columbia Pike) Watch New York City’s celebration in Times Square on the movie screen and take in music during the 1980s themed party. The $15 admission price covers entertainment and party favors. Food and drinks can be purchased from tableside waitstaff. Guests must be at least 21 years old.

Around Town

Paciugo Gelato Becoming Street Corner Cafe

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 18, 2012 at 3:30PM

Owner John Croce said while the shop launched as a gelato franchise earlier this year, he’s now shifting gears and wants to transform it into a cafe serving a full menu. He’s also changing the name to “Street Corner Cafe” and renovating the inside. In July, he began dabbling with a limited number of breakfast and lunch items and says they were an immediate hit.

“This is what people want and this is what we want to be. We’re trying to evolve,” Croce said. “We still have gelato but we’ve expanded the line of food products to welcome more customers in. You can never satisfy everyone but you can try to satisfy most people. I think that will be accomplished.”

News

Three Arrested for Prostitution in McDonald’s Parking Lot

By ARLnow.com

Published December 17, 2012 at 2:30PM

The incident happened around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12. According to police, a man and a woman were observed entering the restaurant and sitting by the front window. At one point the woman reportedly got up and started talking on a cell phone, at which time another man arrived.

The woman and the second man got into an SUV, drove to the back of the restaurant, and engaged in sexual activity after exchanging $20, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. The vehicle was described as a Pontiac Aztek, and police say it was owned by the first man, who remained inside the restaurant. Police say they observed the sexual activity and arrested all three suspects.

Around Town

Health Dept. Reminds Diners to Keep Pets at Home

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2012 at 1:15PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 1:50PM

The stickers were mailed out on Nov. 26 as part of an ongoing Arlington health department initiative to remind restaurants that it’s against county code for animals to be in “areas where food is prepared, cooked or served,” according to Arlington County Department of Human Services spokesman Kurt Larrick.

Restaurants are not required to post the stickers, but a number of eateries, like Sawatdee Thai (2250 Clarendon Blvd), pictured, have already displayed them prominently for customers entering the establishment.

Around Town

Enjera Restaurant to Replace Tagolio?

By ARLnow.com

Published December 13, 2012 at 12:00PM | Updated December 13, 2012 at 2:14PM

Tagolio Pizzeria and Enoteca (549 23rd Street S.), which closed after its owner was accused of rape and ultimately convicted of assault and battery, is apparently being replaced by Enjera Restaurant.

It’s currently unclear who currently owns the restaurant, but Enjera Eritrean Restauarnt & Bar was the name of the well-regarded eatery that preceded Tagolio. It served Eritrean cuisine, which is similar to Ethiopian cuisine. Enjera closed in 2010 .

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published December 10, 2012 at 9:05AM | Updated December 10, 2012 at 9:37AM

Courthouse Office Building Approved — At its meeting on Saturday, the Arlington County Board unanimously approved a redevelopment plan for a new 8-story office building at 2311 Wilson Blvd in Courthouse. [Arlington County]

Goody’s Expansion Plan Foiled by the Fiscal Cliff? — Clarendon pizza restaurant Goody’s was featured on the Friday broadcast of NBC Nightly News. The owners of the restaurant say they’re only making a small profit and they’re worried about having to close due to the impact of the so-called fiscal cliff (primarily the increased taxes that could go into effect if no deal is reached). Goody’s owners were planning to expand next year, but have put those plans on hold, according to the broadcast. [NBC News]

News

Biden Visits Metro 29 Diner

By Katie Pyzyk

Published December 7, 2012 at 3:50PM

Vice President Joe Biden hosted a lunch at Arlington’s Metro 29 Diner (4711 Lee Hwy) this afternoon, to discuss the country’s trek toward the fiscal cliff.

Biden arrived at the restaurant around 1:15 p.m. to meet with seven people who say their finances would take a hit if the country goes over the fiscal cliff.

Around Town

Citizenship At Last for District Taco Founder

By ARLnow.com

Published December 5, 2012 at 9:45AM

District Taco founder Osiris Hoil at his U.S. citizenship ceremony in 2012 (photo via Twitter)

“Today America has accepted me to be part of this beautiful country,” Hoil tweeted at the time. “Today I became an American!! Thank you USA!!”

The naturalization ceremony was yet another high point of a whirlwind three and a half years for Hoil, a native of Mexico. In that time Hoil went from laid-off construction worker to food cart operator to a partner in an expanding local restaurant chain. (District Taco is planning to open a third location, on Capitol Hill, early next year.)