restaurant | ARLnow.com

Published May 29, 2026 at 9:15AM

Freddie's Beach Bar with "drag brunch" signs in Crystal City in 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The owner of a longtime gay bar and iconic local business in Crystal City says he’s remaining an “eternal optimist” following one of the restaurant’s toughest financial years yet.

Freddie Lutz, owner and founder of Freddie’s Beach Bar, says the restaurant is still grappling with economic difficulties that drove business down throughout 2025. However, Lutz says he is hopeful as ever as the bar — a hallmark of Arlington’s culinary and cultural fabric — recently celebrated 25 years in business on Restaurant Row at 555 23rd Street S.

Around Town

Rotating art exhibit at Clarendon restaurant to feature works by local artists

By Katie Taranto

Published May 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

Westville in Clarendon (photo by Joy Asico-Smith, courtesy of Asico Photo)

A rotating exhibit of art pieces from the Arlington Artists Alliance is coming to an American restaurant in Clarendon through a new partnership.

Westville will be hosting a reception for the new project from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at 2800 Clarendon Blvd. The exhibit, which is expected to change on a quarterly basis, will feature works available for purchase that are aligned with the restaurant’s earthy aesthetic and veggie-forward menu.

Around Town

Clarendon barbecue restaurant’s inventive flavors featured on WETA’s ‘Signature Dish’

By Katie Taranto

Published May 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Smokecraft Modern Barbecue founder Andrew Darneille (left) appears on WETA's "Signature Dish" with host Seth Tillman (via WETA)

A Clarendon barbecue restaurant earned a recent feature on “Signature Dish,” a WETA program highlighting standout cuisine in the D.C. area.

A plate of cedar plank smoked salmon at Smokecraft Modern Barbecue (1051 N. Highland Street) was one of three dishes highlighted on the show’s “BBQ Bonanza” episode this week, where host Seth Tillman “follows the aroma of smoke across the DMV.”

Around Town

Tasting festival with games and a DJ coming to Rosslyn food hall

By Katie Taranto

Published May 18, 2026 at 11:45AM

The south-facing entrance to Upside on Moore (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A tasting extravaganza is coming to the food hall above the Rosslyn Metro station next month.

A Taste of Upside, happening from 2-5 p.m. on June 27, will offer samplings from Upside on Moore’s vendors alongside live entertainment and activities.

Around Town

Korean fried chicken franchise opens first D.C.-area location in Ballston today

By Katie Taranto

Published May 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

BHC Chicken's new Ballston storefront (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A popular fried chicken franchise from South Korea is celebrating the grand opening of its first D.C.-area location in Ballston today (Friday).

BHC Chicken, which describes itself as the “No. 1 Korean Chicken Franchise,” plans to offer three free chicken tenders to its first 100 guests from today through Sunday at 875 N. Randolph Street, in the former Hangry Joe’s spot.

Events

‘Summer Stomp’ fundraising fair coming to Harvey’s in Falls Church

By Katie Taranto

Published May 14, 2026 at 1:45PM

Mural at Harvey's in Falls Church (via Harvey's/Facebook)

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

Cornerstone restaurant and bar closes after two years on Columbia Pike

By Katie Taranto

Published May 11, 2026 at 12:45PM | Updated May 11, 2026 at 1:40PM

Outside Pike Cornerstone in May 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Pike Cornerstone has closed its doors for the last time after just over two years in business.

The restaurant and bar, which aimed to create a “home away from home” atmosphere with hearty bar fare, cocktails and a dog-friendly patio, held its “final call” on Saturday. It opened at 2900 Columbia Pike, at the former site of Rebellion on the Pike, in April 2024.

Around Town

Solset rooftop bar opens in Clarendon atop new restaurant, The Boulevard

By Katie Taranto

Published May 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

Solset's rooftop bar (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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

The Board Room abruptly closes in Clarendon after eight years of business

By Katie Taranto

Published May 4, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Board Room sign (file photo)

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

Carbonara celebrates two years in Va. Square with planned expansion and cookbook

By Katie Taranto

Published April 30, 2026 at 11:45AM

Carbonara in Virginia Square with two-year anniversary balloons (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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

Whino restaurant and art gallery closing with farewell party in Ballston

By Katie Taranto

Published April 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

Whino's space at Ballston Quarter (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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.

Around Town

Iranian restaurant on Langston Blvd faces delays, citing maintenance and permitting issues

By Katie Taranto

Published April 27, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated April 27, 2026 at 3:01PM

5009 Langston Blvd (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Plans to open a new Iranian restaurant on Langston Blvd continue to face delays, six years after a local entrepreneur first sought to open a restaurant in the space.

Restaurateur Mohammad Esfahani has been trying to open a business at 5009 Langston Blvd since 2019, when he announced plans to open an All About Burger location and hookah lounge there. He has since pivoted to pursue an Iranian restaurant, Kolbeh (formerly Alvand) which he originally hoped to open in April 2025.