Around Town

Bar Ivy in Clarendon appears to have closed

By ARLnow.com
1/7

(Updated at 3 p.m.) There’s no official word on its website, but it looks like Bar Ivy in Clarendon may have closed permanently.

The “West Coast-inspired” restaurant at 3033 Wilson Blvd, noted for its expansive and verdant outdoor patio, opened in the summer of 2022. Earlier this fall it introduced a breakfast and coffee menu, in addition to existing lunch and dinner service.

Bar Ivy was the first Virginia venture of Blagden Hospitality Group, which is behind Tiger Fork, Hi-Lawn and Calico in D.C. A promised second Bar Ivy location in Bethesda was last reported in May to be opening in early 2024.

A PR rep for Bar Ivy did not respond to a request for confirmation, sent earlier this week, that the restaurant was closing. But the evidence is mounting.

“A friend was to have their holiday party at Bar Ivy, but were informed… the restaurant is permanently closed,” one tipster told ARLnow. Another tipster pointed out that Bar Ivy’s Facebook page says it is “permanently closed,” in an update made on Tuesday.

No one answered the phone at the restaurant today, during what should be business hours. And Bar Ivy’s online reservation page lists no available future dates.

A sign outside, however, says it is “closed this week for private events.”

Blagden Hospitality closed gastropub Fainting Goat, on U Street NW in the District, this past May, Washingtonian reported.

Podcast: Audrey Clement on her campaigns for County Board

By ARLnow.com
County Board candidate Audrey Clement in November 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

There’s persistence, and then there is Audrey Clement and her decade-plus effort to get elected to local office in Arlington.

Clement talked with ARLnow editor Scott Brodbeck to talk about her latest unsuccessful run for County Board, her allegations of media bias and age discrimination, Missing Middle zoning changes, proposed changes to Arlington County’s governance, and why she keeps running for public office.

Listen below or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn.

Makers Union set to open in Pentagon City next week

By James Jarvis
1/5

Makers Union, an upscale gastropub, is set to open its doors on the ground floor of Amazon’s second headquarters in Pentagon City next week.

Its first day open will be Tuesday, Dec. 5, according to the restaurant’s website.

This is the third Makers Union location in the D.C. area, following the debut of its Reston location three years ago and a recent opening at the Wharf in early October.

Open seven days a week, the 3,075 square-foot restaurant serves lunch and dinner on weekdays, and brunch and dinner on weekends. A happy hour is available from 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and live music is scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“It’s designed to be a pub where you can come and celebrate any of life’s occasions, whether that be wings and a beer at the bar, watching a football game, or coming in and enjoying some more elevated options,” Makers Union Director of Operations Alex Brown told to ARLnow.

The restaurant seats 84 indoors, including 34 at the bar and 50 in the dining area, and 80 outdoors, he said.

Brown recommended a few menu items, including the tomahawk steak with poached eggs, hollandaise and breakfast potatoes, and the grilled chicken alfredo pasta with garlic bread.

Makers Union joins a slew of new businesses and eateries, including Good Company Doughnuts & Coffee and Conte’s Bike Shop, on the ground floor of the first phase of Amazon’s second headquarters, also known as Metropolitan Park, which opened earlier this summer.

Last month, Peruvian Brothers, a D.C.-based Peruvian food truck and fast-casual eatery, opened its second location adjacent to the gastropub.

Thompson Hospitality, the pub’s owner, operates other local favorites including Matchbox, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers and Wiseguy Pizza.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Nov 30, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Nov 30, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

🌧️ Friday’s forecast

Expect rain to begin after 2pm, with highs near 50°F, accompanied by a south wind at 5-9 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation, with less than a tenth of an inch likely. On Friday night, there is a 50% chance of rain mainly before 9pm, followed by patchy fog after 3am. The night will be mostly cloudy, with lows around 46°F and a southwest wind at 5-9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
– Thomas A. Edison

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Smallest and largest homes sold in Arlington (October 2023)

By ARLnow.com

Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the smallest and largest homes sold last month (October 2023).

Largest homes sold

  1. 1718 N Harvard St — Lyon Village — $4,225,000 (6 beds | 8 baths | 7,360 sq. ft.)
  2. 4903 Williamsburg Blvd — Rock Spring — $1,975,000 (5 beds | 4.5 baths | 5,932 sq. ft.)
  3. 3114 1st St N — Lyon Park — $2,550,000 (6 beds | 5.5 baths | 5,623 sq. ft.)

Smallest homes sold*

  1. 5104 14th St N — Waycroft/Woodlawn — $1,615,000 (4 beds | 2 baths | 1,950 sq. ft.)
  2. 1820 21st St N Unit 1820 — North Highland — $970,000 (2 beds | 4 baths | 1,964 sq. ft.)
  3. 900 N Stafford St Unit 2625 — -Ballston – $1,050,000 (2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,974 sq. ft.)

*Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales, retirement condos, properties with expiring ground leases, etc.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Kumo

By ARLnow.com
1/3

The newest Adoptable Pet of the Week is Kumo!

This adorable and fluffy senior pup is up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. He is currently in foster and his adoption fees have been paid!

Kumo and his friends had this to say:

Hello, I’m Kumo! I’m looking for a home where I can bask in the simple joys of life, surrounded by love and warmth.

I promise to be a loyal friend and fill your days with the quiet joy that comes from sharing your life with a wise and grateful soul.

I may have a few white hairs, but my heart is still full of love and companionship. Due to my age, I am seeking a special type of adoption known as a hospice adoption. While it might sound serious, it simply means I’m looking for a compassionate soul who can provide me with a comfortable and caring environment for the time I have left.

Kumo’s foster told us that he is an elderly gentleman and he likes to go on a leisurely 1 to 1½ mile walk once a day and a very short potty walk at other times. He likes being out off-leash in my yard and just rolling in the grass and sniffing around. When he wants to he can run quite fast.

He gets along well with my dog who is a little smaller. He gets along well with my cats. He is okay with well mannered children. Kumo does sleep a lot. He either sleeps in his crate or on the floor. He is house trained but has to go out at least four times a day for potty breaks. He does not do staircases, can’t really go easily up or down stairs.

Is Kumo the match you’re been looking for? You can read his entire profile to learn how to start the adoption process!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with 2-3 paragraphs about your pet and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Nov 29, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Nov 29, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 53 and gentle south winds at 5 to 9 mph. As night falls, the sky will turn partly cloudy, accompanied by a low of approximately 37 and southwest winds blowing at 6 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Westover Taco on Washington Blvd is gearing up to open next month

By James Jarvis
1/5

Tacos are closer to being served in Westover, just in time for the holidays.

After a nearly 4-month delay, Westover Taco at 5849 Washington Blvd — previously the home of the Forest Inn, a long-time dive bar which closed in June 2022 — is set to open around mid-December, per the company’s Instagram account.

“Alright! We are super excited to announce that we’ve overcome all the hurdles and will be opening to the public in the next few weeks,” the company posted yesterday (Tuesday). “We’ll announce the exact date as soon as we have it.”

Originally, Westover Taco aimed to start serving back in August. However, co-owner Scott Parker said the opening was delayed due to permitting issues.

“It was just the usual permit delays. Nothing too exciting,” Parker told ARLnow.

Construction began last spring, and it appeared the restaurant was adding the final touches when ARLnow recently checked in on its progress.

The restaurant’s menu boasts several types of tacos, including chicken, pork, steak and fish.

Complementing the taco selection is an assortment of tequila-based cocktails, including a cucumber jalapeño paloma with grapefruit and lime, a tequila colada with coconut water and coconut Rèal and the classic margarita.

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Nov 28, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Nov 28, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high around 39 degrees with south winds ranging from 6 to 10 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low near 28 degrees and southwest winds also between 6 and 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
– Helen Keller

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

‘Singing tree’ to bring festive cheer to Ballston with music, lights and local bites

By James Jarvis
2022 Ballston Singing Tree event (courtesy of Ballston BID)

The Ballston “singing tree” is set to return for the holiday season.

Starting next week, the sparkling, voice-activated Christmas tree near the Ballston Metro station will brighten the neighborhood with lights and music through the new year.

The tree — in the center of Welburn Square at 901 N. Taylor Street — will be adorned with 1,200 “interactive, sound responsive” lights designed by Canadian developer Limbic Media.

“Microphones capture audio input from the environment around the system, which interprets that data into colors and patterns to display throughout the tree,” per a press release.

The Ballston Business Improvement District, which introduced the tree last year, will mark its return with an event next Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 5-7 p.m. The event will include performances by the Arlington Children’s Chorus as well as food and drink.

Attendees can enjoy food from Rustico and DMV Empanadas, Turkish coffee from the Ballstonian cart, a free hot chocolate bar for kids, and a “Jingle Bar” for adults 21 and older.

“This event was such a joyous success last year, we knew we had to bring it back for the Ballston community,” Ballston BID CEO Tina Leone said in a statement. “We love supporting our local businesses as well as the Arlington Children’s Chorus and we hope other community members will come down to Ballston, shop for the holidays, enjoy some of our fabulous restaurants and see if they can activate the tree themselves!”

Pamplona in Clarendon set to close next month

By James Jarvis
Pamplona in Clarendon on Nov. 27, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Pamplona, the Spanish tapas restaurant and sangria bar in Clarendon, will close next month, according to a social media post.

The restaurant, which opened in 2017 in the space formerly occupied by SoBe Bar & Bistro, shared its farewell message on Instagram last week.

“It has been an amazing run, but the time has come for Pamplona’s final turn! To our loyal regulars, guests and friends, we can not say thank you enough; just know we could not have done it without you,” the post said.

“We want to thank our staff (past and present) for their hard work and dedication throughout the years. We formed countless memories with all of you, and we will forever be grateful,” the restaurant said.

Its final day appears to be Saturday, Dec. 16, per the post.

A representative for Pamplona could not be reached before publication. Its owner, Mike Bramson, also owns The Lot, an open-air beer garden that began its long goodbye this year ahead of development plans for the site it occupies.

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