Around Town

A family-owned banh mi shop is flourishing during its first year in Ballston, months after its original location unexpectedly shuttered in D.C.

John Tran opened Simply Banh Mi in January at 801 N. Quincy Street as an expansion of his now-closed Georgetown restaurant. The business owner hoped to pass the D.C. store to new ownership earlier this year, but told ARLnow those plans fell through for reasons related to the health of a family member.


Around Town

A combination halal steakhouse and peri peri chicken shop is closing in Crystal City, leaving its space to a Nashville-inspired chicken and burger chain.

Peri Peri Original & Kallisto Steakhouse plans to shutter sometime next month, owner Zayan Abbasi told ARLnow. Soon after, it will be converted into a new location for Abbasi’s expanding Nash and Smashed franchise.


Around Town

Under the wing of a dedicated veteran chef, a smash burger joint in Cherrydale is aspiring to regional stardom since opening last spring.

Equipped with heated food lockers and contactless ordering screens, Burger Billy’s Joint opened last April at 3800 Langston Blvd, primarily as a takeout and delivery option for its smash patty creations.


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.


Events

Numerous venues in Arlington and Falls Church are ready for football fans as the 2025 season kicks off.

Need a go-to spot this season? These local sports bars and restaurants offer happy hour deals and screens aplenty for watching with friends, in addition to hosting local fanbases and alumni groups.


Around Town

Summer Restaurant Week promotions are continuing through the end of August at several Arlington locations.

Lyon Hall, Bar Chinois and Seoul Prime are just some of the 120 D.C.-area restaurants extending their prix fixe deals through Sunday, Aug. 31, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced.


Events

Prix fixe dining deals are coming soon to the D.C. area with the start of this summer’s Restaurant Week.

Over two dozen restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are expected to participate in the biannual promotion, which kicks off on Monday, Aug. 18 and lasts through Sunday, Aug. 24. These include spots like the new Bar Chinois in Crystal City and ARLnow reader favorite Lyon Hall.


Around Town

A longtime bar and grill on Columbia Pike is introducing new specialty dishes from Bolivia this summer with the help of an overseas restaurateur.

L.A. Bar & Grill’s wide menu of bar snacks and entrees is expanding with Chillamicito, a new pop-up offering a popular Bolivian food, pique macho. The bar at 2530 Columbia Pike launched the menu this summer through a partnership with chef Andrés Ferrufino.


Around Town

Ruthie’s All-Day and The Italian Store might be some of ARLnow readers’ favorite places to visit in town.

That’s according to the hundreds of votes cast so far this year in the ARLnow Readers’ Choice polls, where these establishments have won top rankings in multiple categories.


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 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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