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Morning Notes

Published March 4, 2021 at 7:30AM

The sunset glows as traffic moves down I-66, as seen from N Ohio St. (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Metro 29 Diner Back Open — After temporarily closing in late December due to “COVID-19 concerns,” Metro 29 Diner on Lee Highway reopened earlier this week. [Facebook]

Arlington Rents Going Back Up — “In what might be another sign of a return to a semblance of normalcy, average rents for Arlington apartments increased in February for the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic. The 0.7-percent month-over-month increase also mirrored the national index, which reported its biggest monthly increase since June 2019.” [InsideNova]

Around Town

Columbia Pike Ethiopian Restaurant ‘Overwhelmed’ with Community Support

By Vernon Miles

Published March 3, 2021 at 3:55PM

In the weeks after opening, new Columbia Pike Ethiopian restaurant Greens N Teff (3203 Columbia Pike) said the response from the community has been better than they could have hoped.

The restaurant, which features an entirely vegetarian/vegan menu, sold out twice in February, following ARLnow’s coverage of its opening.

Around Town

NEW: Bracket Room in Clarendon Has Closed

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2021 at 12:25PM

Bracket Room closed in Clarendon (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Bracket Room, the Clarendon sports bar co-founded by Chris Bukowski of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise fame, has closed — for real this time.

The bar served its last customers on Sunday, we’re told. On Monday, employees could be seen hauling items out of the venue at 1210 N. Garfield Street and loading them into a pickup truck.

Around Town

Pop-Up Eatery ‘Tom Bones BBQ’ Launches in Crystal City

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 2, 2021 at 11:45AM | Updated March 2, 2021 at 3:50PM

Chef Lindsey Ayala at her smoker at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Crystal City (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Every day, Executive Chef Lindsey Ayala fires up a smoker outside the Crowne Plaza hotel in Crystal City and feeds the fire with hickory wood.

She is smoking meats “low and slow,” slathering them with scratch-made sauces and serving sides such as mac and cheese, collard greens, and cheddar cornbread for a new pop-up restaurant concept within the hotel called Tom Bones BBQ.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2021 at 6:00AM | Updated March 1, 2021 at 8:05AM

Rainy, Then Windy Today — Updated at 8 a.m. — From the National Weather Service: “Rain will end later this morning into this afternoon from northwest to southeast. However, gusty winds will develop and river flooding is expected along portions of the Potomac River and nearby tributaries.” [Twitter]

Freddie’s Expanding to Delaware Shore — “Freddie’s Beach Bar, the gay bar that has been operating in the Crystal City section of Arlington, Va., since 2001, is planning to open a new version of itself in Rehoboth Beach in time for Memorial Day weekend, according to owner Freddie Lutz. Lutz said that similar to the Freddie’s in Arlington, the Rehoboth version will operate as a restaurant and bar with entertainment that is expected to include karaoke, drag bingo, and possibly drag shows.” [Washington Blade]

News

Morning Poll: Which Pandemic Restaurant Closure Hits the Hardest?

By Hannah Foley

Published February 26, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated February 26, 2021 at 11:06AM

At least 25 restaurants have closed in Arlington since the start of the pandemic, nearly one year ago.

The restaurants that have closed their doors run the gamut from local watering holes to workday lunch spots to a neighborhood froyo stop. Many were hit hard by the the loss of business caused by the pandemic and subsequent safety measures, though some might have closed regardless.

Around Town

Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken is Thriving in Arlington

By Matt Blitz

Published February 25, 2021 at 3:30PM

Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper holding one of his fried chicken sandwiches (Photo courtesy of Queen Mother's)

Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken from Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper has gotten a considerable amount of press since landing in Arlington nearly three months ago.

But it hasn’t altered how the chef does business.

News

Va. Rolls Back Some Restrictions on Dining, Outdoor Gatherings

By Jo DeVoe

Published February 24, 2021 at 1:05PM | Updated February 24, 2021 at 1:28PM

Gov. Ralph Northam announced today that he is easing some public health restrictions, including the 10 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales.

Effective March 1, Virginians will be able to buy and drink alcohol at restaurants, food courts, breweries, distilleries and wineries until they are required to close at midnight.

News

National Landing BID to Give Area Restaurants, Retail a Little Boost

By Jo DeVoe

Published February 23, 2021 at 11:30AM

Restaurants in Crystal City (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The National Landing Business Improvement District is working on a program to support ground-floor restaurants and retailers in Pentagon City, Crystal City and Potomac Yard.

Dubbed “Love Local,” the marketing campaign will distribute almost $100,000 in grants to eligible retail and dining establishments within the boundaries of the BID, through a partnership with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 22, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated February 22, 2021 at 9:09AM

Board Advertises Property Tax Rates — “The Arlington County Board today voted unanimously to advertise no increase in the Calendar Year 2021 base real estate property tax rate, citing the toll the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is taking on residents. The Board also voted to advertise a proposed Stormwater tax rate of 1.7 cents per $100 of assessed real property value to fund the full cost of operations and planned capital improvements to the County’s stormwater infrastructure and flood mitigation… The estimated annual impact for the average household with an assessed home value of $724,400 is $123.” [Arlington County]

Snow Falling in Arlington — Updated at 9:10 a.m. — Snow is falling in Arlington, which is just outside of a newly-expanded expanded Winter Weather Advisory. Be careful out there! [Twitter]

News

Police Investigating More Business Break-ins Along Wilson Blvd

By ARLnow.com

Published February 18, 2021 at 10:30AM

Arlington County police are investigating a number of businesses break-ins along Wilson Blvd, west of Ballston.

Thieves broke into businesses in the Bluemont and Dominion Hills neighborhoods early Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The first series of burglaries happened either at or near the Dominion Hills Centre shopping plaza.

Around Town

Mi & Yu Noodle Bar at Ballston Quarter Permanently Closed

By Matt Blitz

Published February 16, 2021 at 1:15PM

Mi & Yu Noodle Bar at Ballston Quarter is now closed permanently, owner Edward Kim confirms to ARLnow.

The eatery was the first to open at Ballston Quarter’s “Quarter Market” food hall in March 2019. It was the establishment’s only location outside of Baltimore, Maryland.