Taste of Arlington

Photos from Taste of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

You would have thought that gray skies and the threat of rain would have persuaded more people to stay at home but, alas, Sunday afternoon’s Taste of Arlington in Ballston was as crowded as ever.

Long lines snaked up and down the rows of food and drink vendors, at times making for human (and dog) traffic jams. The lines moved relatively fast, though, and most restaurants had enough food on hand to last well into the 4:00 hour. The award for longest line goes to Sangam Restaurant (1211 N. Glebe Road), which was practically offering an entire Indian dinner (complete with dessert) for two tickets.

There were numerous local ‘celebrity’ spottings, as presenting sponsor WJLA hauled out half of its news team and as local pols angled for votes. Among those spotted in the crowd were WJLA reporters Pamela Brown and Scott Thuman, as well as County Board reelection candidate Walter Tejada, Commonwealth’s Attorney candidate Theo Stamos and state Senate candidate Barbara Favola. We even spotted David Gaines, the host behind the classic Arlington County TV segment, “Know Your County Wastewater Plant.”

Here are a few photos from around the festival.

1/9

Taste of Arlington Street Closures

By ARLnow.com

Taste of Arlington hits the streets of Ballston on Sunday and police are planning a series of street closures to accommodate the event.

Among the closures, as announced by Arlington County Police:

  • Wilson Blvd will be closed eastbound at Glebe Rd. Eastbound traffic will be diverted south on Glebe Rd.
  • Wilson Blvd will be closed westbound at N Randolph St (north and south bound Randolph will remain open)
  • N. Stuart Street will be closed between N. 9th Street and Wilson Blvd. Buses will be allowed on N. Stuart St. between Fairfax Drive and N. 9th Street.
  • North 9th Street will remain open to METRO BUS TRAFFIC only between North Stafford and North Stuart Street.
  • All traffic coming southbound on N. Taylor St. from Fairfax Drive will be forced to go westbound at Wilson Blvd.
  • Access to the Macy’s parking spaces at 4300 Wilson will be via N. Glebe Road only.

With warm and sunny weather in the forecast, organizers are expecting a crowd of more than 10,000 for the annual food festival — Arlington’s largest. Tickets are still on sale online for 20 percent off the walk-up price.

In addition to food from more than 30 Arlington restaurants and vendors, as well as a selection of craft beers, a number of local musical acts are scheduled to perform at the event, which will take place from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Discount on Taste of Arlington Tickets

By ARLnow.com

Taste of Arlington tickets are being offered at a discount this week.

Tickets for Arlington’s biggest food festival are normally $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, but for the next 10 days they’re being sold for $15 through local deal-of-the-day web site What’s the Deal.

The ever-popular annual event will held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on May 22.

Now in its 24th year, Taste of Arlington will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Admission is free but tickets are required to sample the food and drinks.

Disclosure: ARLnow.com has an affiliate relationship with What’s the Deal.

Taste of Arlington Adds Craft Beers to the Menu

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s largest food festival is adding a selection of craft beers to its menu.

Taste of Arlington features dozens of local restaurants and draws a crowd of thousands to the stretch of Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall. In years past the beer selection at the event has been limited, but organizers say they’re now “trying to make the drink selection as diverse as the food selection.”

A craft beer distributor will be bringing ten different brews to the festival, including varieties of Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Newcastle, Ommegang, Saranac, Franziskaner, Breckenridge, Gordon Biersch, Shiner and Magic Hat. As before, wine will also be available.

Now in its 24th year, Taste of Arlington will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Admission is free but tickets are required to sample the food and drinks. Tickets are currently for sale online for $20. Tickets sold on the day of the event are $25.

See a list of participating restaurants, after the jump.

(more…)

Taste of Arlington Tickets Go on Sale Today

By ARLnow.com

Tickets go on sale today for the 24th annual Taste of Arlington.

The ever-popular event will be little-changed from years prior. It will be held on Wilson Boulevard, in front of Ballston Common Mall. There will be food from 40 Arlington restaurants, beer and wine, arts and crafts, children’s activities and live entertainment.

About 12,000 people are expected to attend.

The event will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Admission is free but tickets are required to sample the food and drinks.

Eight advance tickets purchased online cost $20, versus $25 on the day of the event. Food samples cost one ticket, while beer and wine cost two.

Proceeds from the event will benefit several local charities and non-profits.

Thousands Enjoy Good Food, Nice Weather at Taste of Arlington

By ARLnow.com

With reporting and photography by Lauren Rosenberg.

Thousands of people took advantage of Sunday’s comfortably warm weather at the 23rd annual Taste of Arlington in front of Ballston Common Mall.

Attendees had about 40 restaurants to choose from on the one-block stretch of Wilson Boulevard. Popular items included Carlyle’s crab cakes, Busboys & Poets’ pomegranate lemonade and gazpacho, Whole Foods’ couscous and chicken kabobs, Northside Social’s mini bratwurst, Jaleo’s paella, The Melting Pot’s plate of chocolate-dipped treats and the ice cream from Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Some complained about the length of the lines at the more in-demand stands, but others credited the queues as serving as a sort of food speed bump that prevented them from stuffing themselves silly.

Beer and wine was available, but from a limited number of stations. The two food tickets for one beer conversion rate may help explain why many people refrained from indulging.

There were fewer entertainment acts this year, but those who did perform — including Marcus Johnson, the Virginia Big Band and the U.S. Army Band Downrange — were able to stay on stage longer. An arts and crafts show, a face painting station and an USDA-sponsored food safety exhibit were among the other festival activities that did not directly involve eating or drinking.

First-time attendees Kayla Knilans of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Angus Wan of Centreville said they were impressed by the variety of foods offered. Knilans said she though the price of attending the event was fair compared to other food tasting events she’s attended in Chicago and Madison, Wis. Their favorite “tastes” of the day included mussels from Argia’s and flatbread pizza from Whitlows.

The event usually attracts about 15,000 people, but Ballston Partnership executive director Pamela Kahn predicted a bump in attendance due to the upswing in the economy and robust online sales — up 300 percent this year.

More photos, after the jump.

(more…)

To Do This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

It’s a good time to be an Arlingtonian. This weekend is jam-packed with fun outdoor community events. The weather should be gorgeous — the only problem will be finding time to do everything.

Saturday

Trashy Pick Up Artists — Dubbed the “Pick Up Artists,” four recent college grads from Maryland are on cross-country journey to pick up trash and educate people about sustainability. On Saturday, Davey Rogner and Kelly Klein, 24, and Kim Alexander and Jeff Chen, 23 will kick off their 240 mile trek across Virginia in Arlington. Volunteers interested in helping them out should meet at the Clarendon Whole Foods (2700 Wilson Boulevard) at 10:00 a.m. According to the organizers, this event has been cancelled due to the permits from VDOT not coming in.

Neighborhood Day — Enjoy any number of activities being held throughout Arlington, from yard sales to block parties to barbecues to walks and runs. See the complete list here. The evening will conclude with a special military pageant and concert by performers from Ft. Myer. Called the “Twilight Tattoo,” the performance will take place between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. at Bluemont Park (601 North Manchester Street).

Hub Spin Group Ride — Want to go on a “completely chill” bike ride around Crystal City? The new Revolution Cycles City Hub store is hosting a group ride for all skill levels from 6:30 to 8:00 Saturday night. Bring your own bike or rent one of theirs for free. While the ride will be nice, the after party at Bailey’s Sports Grille ($8 charge covers drinks and munchies) may be even better.

Sunday

Taste of Arlington — One of the area’s most anticipated outdoor events. From noon to 5:00 p.m., more than 15,000 people are expected to cram into a one-block stretch of Wilson Boulevard next to Ballston Common Mall to try samples from more than 40 Arlington restaurants. See our preview here.

IBIS Chamber Music Society Concert — The last free IBIS concert of the season, featuring selections from Vivaldi, Handel and Mendelssohn. IBIS is an ensemble of professional musicians who normally perform with orchestras like the National Symphony and the Boston Pops. Their concerts are family-friendly and informal.

Arlington Foodies Prepare: Taste of Arlington Sunday

By Ashley Houghton

Ok, foodies, get your forks ready this Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Area food lovers wait in anticipation all year for the day they can graze from one local restaurant to the next, tasting the latest dishes from their favorite chefs at the annual Taste of Arlington in Ballston.

Taste of Arlington is returning for another day of delicious taste-testing of our area’s best restaurants. Participating establishments include the new Northside Social and older favorites like Busboys and Poets (see a full list here).

Even the rare individual who could care less about food will be able to distract themselves with an extensive arts and crafts fair, local music, stilt-walkers and a selection of wine.

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is providing a bike valet for those of us who attempt to burn the calories we’re about to consume by pedaling to the event.

Advance tickets to nosh are $20 for eight “tastes” and $25 the day of the event. The event will be difficult to miss by car, bike, or metro: Arlington is shutting down a block of Wilson Boulevard in front of the Ballston Mall to make room for tents and pedestrians.

We suggest getting your ticket soon. There are a limited number available and about 12,000 hungry locals typically attend.  Happy eating!

Photos from tasteofarlington.com