One of the oldest restaurants on Restaurant Row is celebrating its 55-year anniversary in Crystal City this summer.
The Portofino Restaurant will ring in its anniversary next month with a tomato-themed dinner on Sunday, Aug. 10. However, the restaurant has been celebrating 55 years in business since January, hosting monthly events like wine dinners, live music and raffles.
From French bistros to fried chicken, dozens of new restaurants have landed across Arlington and Falls Church in recent months.
Here are some of the latest developments in the local dining scene this summer, along with some highlights of anticipated openings over the next few months.
The only Domino’s in Falls Church will soon relocate to a shuttered bike shop, possibly making way for another pizzeria to set up shop.
The Domino’s, currently located in a strip mall at 1106 W. Broad Street, plans to move to 438 S. Washington Street in mid-November, operations manager Himel Uddin told ARLnow.
A new Syrian restaurant has opened for business in Bluemont, serving traditional cuisine straight from the kitchen of a Damascus native.
Alshami Restaurant offers a wide array of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, platters and flatbreads at 5216 Wilson Blvd. It takes the place of Ya Hala Bistro, a Middle Eastern restaurant that closed last year.
By popular demand, the award-winning restaurateurs behind Ellie Bird are debuting a new private dining experience in Falls Church.
The Nest offers prix fixe, multi-course meals in a private dining room attached to Ellie Bird at 123 Founders Avenue. It is the fourth concept by owners Carey and Yuan Tang, known for their acclaimed contemporary cuisine and avian-themed eateries, including D.C.’s Rooster & Owl.
A new restaurant serving Turkish sandwiches, wraps and pita dishes has opened in Rosslyn.
D.C.-based Capital Doner opened its second location last month at 1731 Wilson Blvd, across the street from H-B Woodlawn. The restaurant serves halal gyros and shawarma, plus falafel wraps and traditional Turkish desserts.
Just in time for Bastille Day, a new bistro with Parisian-inspired offerings is set to open this Friday in Crystal City.
Bar Colline plans to offer French-American cuisine at 269 19th Court S. A sister to Cafe Colline on Langston Blvd, the bistro will join a growing mix of retail and dining at The Grace and Reva apartments.
An award-winning Falls Church restaurant is previewing a new spinoff eatery in time for the Fourth of July.
Side Chick is a new a fried chicken carryout and delivery by Ellie Bird. The concept, based out of the restaurant’s kitchen at 125 Founders Avenue, blends Southern comfort foods, Asian American-inspired flavors and tongue-in-cheek attitude.
A well-loved Nepalese restaurant with Northern Virginia roots is continuing to succeed at its second location in Ballston, serving up a unique delicacy: yak.
Himalayan Wild Yak opened at 1010 N. Glebe Road in March, joining an Ashburn location that has become a favorite of The Washington Post and Northern Virginia Magazine since opening in late 2021.
A dozen restaurants across Falls Church and Arlington are participating in a new “Foodie Trek” program with prizes this summer.
The Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek started June 1, intending to bring in customers during a slow season for restaurants, co-founder Tricia Barba told ARLnow. People who visit all participating businesses and collect passport “stamps” before Aug. 31 have the chance to win one of three prize baskets.
Pentagon City restaurant 1983 Chinese Cuisine is set to “soft open” this Thursday, serving up traditional Cantonese dim sum at the Westpost shopping center.
The restaurant will start accepting customers, but General Manager Cuong Vo says the food and menu won’t be a finished product — they’re looking for feedback from the public before hosting a “grand opening.”
Honoo Ramen Bar, a new Japanese restaurant, is now open at the West Falls development in Falls Church.
Offering a wide menu of ramen, sushi, cocktails and Japanese entrees, the new restaurant is currently soft opening at 153 W. Falls Station Blvd.
