Arlington Magazine Issue - Arlington Magazine

Guide to Giving

Want to make a difference in your community? Donate your time or money to one of these local nonprofits.

My Hyphenated Self

Growing up, I felt neither Indian nor American enough. Now, I’ve found the blended beauty of being both.

After Braylon

Rose Kehoe and Kris Meade lost their son weeks shy of his 18th birthday. One year later, a portrait of grief, community support and healing.

Get Away: The Union Hotel in Gettysburg

A Union theme runs throughout this historic boutique property, with subtle nods to Lincoln in pictures and books.

This Arlington Pizzeria Is Legit, Per an Italian Ranking

A Modo Mio's Neapolitan pies were named among the "Best in the U.S." by Top 50 Pizza.

Shop Local: B.Birdwatcher Spiritual Stones

Arlington jewelry maker Crystal Ellis designs custom bracelets with symbolic meaning.

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Making School a ‘Happy Place’

John and Joyce Wanda grew up in poverty and left Uganda. Their commitment to education took them back.

Shop Local: Livin’ the Pie Life

A tiny, homespun bakery has found its sweet spot in Arlington serving up seasonal pies, cakes, cookies, turnovers and other goodies.

Restaurant Review: Joon

An upscale Persian concept with a culinary dream team makes a splash in Tysons.

Top Attorneys 2023

Our area’s most respected attorneys as nominated by their peers in the legal community.

Get Away: Brampton Bed and Breakfast Inn

Need a weekend escape? Cozy up by the fire or have a good soak at this revamped boutique property in Chestertown, Maryland.

Remembering Arlington’s ‘Experiment in Free-Form Education’

Half a century ago, this short-lived experiment in student-directed learning was a precursor to the creation of H-B Woodlawn.

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Get Away: The Bucks County Wine & Art Trail

Drink wine, take in the scenery and peruse landscape paintings by local artists at these Pennsylvania vineyards.

Shop Local: Plants & What Knot

Plant whisperer Christina Foy specializes in easy-care greenery and handmade macrame accessories.

Great Spaces: A Budget-Friendly Basement Makeover

A Ballston basement is converted into a fresh and modern short-term rental unit.

The Art of the Chainsaw

When death comes for old-growth trees, Andrew Mallon carves up their stumps, giving them new life.

Where To Eat and Drink in Rappahannock County

This bucolic area next to Shenandoah National Park is a foodie’s paradise.

Teachers We Love

Six local educators share their favorite stories, revelations and the life lessons they've learned on the job.

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Get Away: Kimpton’s The Forum Hotel

Heading down to Charlottesville? Stay in style at this new, Jeffersonian-style hotel on UVA's campus.

The Blue House on the Corner

A thoughtful "pop top" renovation and a new hue made this family home in Bluemont much more functional—and fun.

Why Is Private School Enrollment on the Rise?

Northern Virginia is known for its excellent public schools, but private school interest is ticking up. For some, Covid was a tipping point.

The Terror and Benediction of Open Mic Night

One night in Arlington, I conquered my fear and stepped into the spotlight to sing.

Out of the Ashes, Ireland’s Four Courts Returns

The beloved Arlington pub will reopen Sept. 7, one year after a tragic accident left it in flames.

10 New Books to Read in September

Cozy up with a baseball movie tell-all, a postwar account of life behind the wall in East Germany, and a comic noir tale of a hitman posing as a rabbi.

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What’s Nue? An Elegant Vietnamese Restaurant in Falls Church

Find seafood towers, cool cocktails and dreamlike murals at this newcomer to Founders Row.

The Dreamers Next Door

They came here under duress in search of a better life. Undocumented or not, they are proud to be American.

Get Away: Museum of Illusions Washington

Discover mind-bending optical illusions at this new attraction in CityCenterDC.

Restaurant Review: Ellie Bird

Carey and Yuan Tang return to their hometown with a delightful, family-friendly restaurant.

Where Arlington’s Class of 2023 Applied to College and Got In

Here are the numbers, as reported by graduating seniors.

Mother Figure

My mom was a high-profile bureaucrat with a gift for storytelling. I'm now discovering that many of those stories were true.

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Her Retirement Job? Ball Girl for the Nats

At home games, you’ll often find Tanya Schneider fielding balls along the first or third baseline.

Get Away: Great Wolf Lodge Maryland

The kid fun includes a massive indoor water park, arcades, mini golf, a ropes course, live action games, treasure hunts and more.

Great Spaces: Beguiling Tile

Quiet features allow the beautiful tiled walls to shine in this understated Arlington kitchen remodel.

Beyond the Beautiful Earth

Astronaut David M. Brown was as down-to-earth as he was starry-eyed. He perished on the space shuttle Columbia.

Get Away: Hotel Bethany Beach

Need a beach weekend? This freshly renovated Delaware shore hotel is pet- and kid-friendly.

Stop and Smell the Roses in This Glorious Public Garden

Created at the end of World War II, Arlington's Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden is a feast for the senses.

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Haute Dogs Is All About Fancy Franks

Hot dogs get the star treatment at this Arlington eatery with jazzy toppings such as bruschetta, buffalo or banh mi.

Shop Local: The Happy Hour Flowers

No green thumb? This Arlington start-up sells pretty flowers with DIY growing tips. The floral-inspired cocktail recipes are a freebie.

Need a New Game Night Option? This One Is ‘Not So Neighborly’

Petty grudges? Theft? Arson? FamBam Games has a board game to satisfy those darkest urges.

What to Order at Maison Cheryl in Clarendon

Chef Robert Maher's Frenchy bistro does a proper duck à l’orange, says our dining critic.

Extraordinary Teen Awards 2023

Greatness comes in many forms, whether it’s pioneering research, soul-bearing works of art or the simple gift of making people laugh. Meet this year’s exemplary students.

Delaware’s Cutest Beach Town Is Calling

Low-key Lewes is prized for its quiet shoreline, maritime history, bike trails, great restaurants and intimate charm.

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A Mystery Illness Called POTS

A debilitating disorder with a constellation of symptoms, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is often misdiagnosed as anxiety. Doctors are missing the mark.

Restaurant Review: Jiwa Singapura

The chef behind D.C.'s Michelin-starred Cranes brings a taste of Southeast Asia to Tysons.

Top Doctors 2023

Need a new internist, pediatrician, surgeon or specialist? Here are our area’s most respected physicians, as nominated by their peers in the medical community.

After Papa Was Gone

After my father's death, the songs of nature and lazy Sundays were reminders of things unsaid.

Where to Buy Premium Wagyu Beef

Many restaurants, including The Inn at Little Washington, source steaks from this picturesque farm in Fauquier County. You can, too.

Shop Local: Bethany Slater Ceramics

Find her pretty mugs, bowls and planters at pop-ups and festivals around the DMV. Musical note: She also makes oboe reeds.

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63 Local Musicians and Bands To Check Out Now

Whether jazz or jangle pop is your jam, you're sure to find artists you love on this list.

Get Away: Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania

Set in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, this historic property has played host to 13 U.S. presidents.

It Was One of the Deadliest Building Collapses in D.C.-Area History

Fifty years ago, the Skyline Plaza construction disaster emitted a dust cloud so thick that it filled the stadium of Wakefield High School.

A Modern Dream Home For a Family of Ten

This eight-bedroom, 10-bath compound in McLean spans 13,180 square feet with a pool and spa out back.

Drink Whiskey at George Washington’s Distillery

Tasting tours are available through October near the founding father's Mount Vernon estate.

Get Away: Baltimore’s Ulysses Hotel

For campy fun, book a stay at this John Waters-inspired property in Charm City's Mount Vernon neighborhood.

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Explore the Mallows Bay Ghost Fleet, a Ship Graveyard

Filled with history, this sunken fleet about 30 miles down the Potomac from D.C. is now an ecological paradise.

Memoir of a Waiter in the DMV

Remembering my first tour at Zaytinya with the prophet José Andrés.

Shop Local: Oh Eleven Studio

Say it with paper. Patricia Okrasinski Heffner's boutique studio specializes in bespoke invitations and wedding stationery.

9 Spots for Spectacular Seafood

Our dining critic's top picks for crabs, fish, lobster, oysters, mussels and more are sure to have you hooked.

Want to Know Who Grows Your Produce?

Area 2 Farms, a carbon-friendly urban farming operation in Arlington, has a CSA program that delivers.

Shop Local: Eco Jewelry by Maria Irene Weinz

The Arlington designer uses ethically-mined precious metals, recycled gemstones and lab-grown diamonds, and recycles most of her metal waste.

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Girls With Goals

Northern Virginia has become a women's soccer juggernaut, turning out scores of elite college athletes and even a few pro players. Why is that?

Treat Yourself to Japanese Omakase at Wren

Hate Mondays? Why not start the week on a high note with an 18-course sushi dinner with wine and sake pairings in Tysons.

Her Novel Gives Formerly Enslaved People a Voice

Amina Luqman-Dawson's 'Freewater' won both a Coretta Scott King book prize and the 2023 John Newbery Medal for best children’s book.

Virginia Has a New Winery with Spectacular Mountain Views

Owned by Arlingtonians Tom and Deanna Herrity, Crimson Lane Vineyards is a labor of love.

Great Spaces: A Secret Bourbon Room

The clients wanted their own private speakeasy. This design lifted their spirits.

Will ‘Missing Middle’ Housing Fix Arlington’s Affordability Problem?

The county's controversial new zoning ordinance has residents at odds. Some say it's a step in the right direction. Critics worry it could backfire.

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Great Spaces: The All-Season Porch

Functioning as a multipurpose room, this handsome addition in Arlington's Bluemont neighborhood is a breath of fresh air.

Meet the Host of DC101’s ‘Elliot in the Morning’ Show

You may not recognize him in the grocery store, but you might have heard him on the air.

Remembering the Bitter Fight Against I-66 in Arlington

In the late '70s, the construction of this major commuter route elicited fierce protests, and even arrests.

Embrace the Rain: How and Why to Plant a Rain Garden

Stormwater issues are intensifying with climate change. Here's a way to beautify your yard, stave off flooding and possibly snag a tax break.

Get Away: Roanoke’s Liberty Trust Hotel

Housed inside a vintage bank building, this boutique hotel wins points for its grand Beaux Arts design.

Step Inside This Storybook Dream Home in McLean

Sweeping gables, copper-roofed bays and enchanting alcoves put a romantic spin on this modern farmhouse-style residence.

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Where to Eat and Drink in Pittsburgh

More than a sports town with a gritty past, the ’Burgh has a food scene full of surprises.

Shop Local: Trapillo Art

Made in Arlington using recycled textile waste fabrics, these colorful baskets are fun and functional.

Hop a Seaplane to the Big Apple

Tailwind Air's fleet of turboprop planes also provides transport to coastal destinations in New York and New England.

‘I’m Supposed to Be Doing This’

What one Arlington executive learned during an adult gap year in Mexico.

Get Away: The Quoin Hotel

Tucked inside a vintage bank building in Wilmington, Delaware, this boutique property has loads of character.

A Dutch Colonial Shines in Rock Spring

Interior designer Ame Gold's Arlington home is both classic and whimsical, with plenty of party space.

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Love Period Films? Meet Arlington’s Hollywood Connection

This vintage costume design studio has a star-studded list of film, television and stage credits.

Puzukan Tan Brings Korean Barbecue to Falls Church

This meat-lovers' paradise in Merrifield hits the spot with bulgogi, pork belly, brisket, ribs and banchan.

This Arlington Home Feels Like a Boutique Hotel

That's by design. The owners wanted every day to feel like a memorable vacation.

Shop Local: Sol Brothers Candle Co.

Made in Arlington, these candles with affirmational messages celebrate the Black and African Diasporic community.

The Once and Future Crystal City

Amazon's gleaming HQ2 is taking shape in the area now known as National Landing. Here's what's coming—and what has neighbors worried.

Restaurant Review: Kirby Club

From the owners of D.C.’s acclaimed Maydan and Compass Rose, a winning new kebab concept in the Mosaic District.

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Neighborhood Real Estate Guide 2023

Is the local housing market cooling off? Here's the latest data tracking inventory, average sale prices and days on market in 400+ subdivisions in Arlington, McLean and Falls Church.

Letter from the Publisher

The Hottest Ticket in Town

Great Spaces: Paint It Black

A simple home makeover in McLean embraces the light—and the dark.

For Artsy Out-of-Town Guests: D.C.’s CitizenM Hotel

Visitors can stay in style at this colorful, cool boutique hotel in NoMa near Union Station.

Hit Poppyseed Rye for All-Day Breakfast and Cheffy Sandwiches

Greg Lloyd was executive chef of Le Diplomate in D.C. before he took over the kitchen at the Ballston cafe and flower shop.

Shop Local: Privé Roses

Forget the long stems. Here's a chic new way to say, 'I love you' with a classic Valentine's Day flower.

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Back in the Day, It Was Arlington’s Favorite Fast Food

Once upon a time, Holly Farms Chicken was the place to go for buckets full of comfort.

Stressed Out? Let These Resorts Give You the Spa Treatment

Pamper yourself with a stay at one of these luxury hideaways within driving distance of Arlington.

Get Away: The Logan Inn

Kick back, rock-star style, and bring your dog to this edgy hideout in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

In Clarendon, a Seafood Joint Emphasizing Sustainability

Seamore's is committed to serving fresh catch from fish stocks that are healthy or growing.

A Meditation on the Perils of Being Tall

Height has its advantages, sure. But I'd really like to stop whacking my head on stuff.

A Home Makeover with Brazilian Accents

For this thoughtful renovation in Arlington's Bluemont neighborhood, a couple and their designer drew inspiration from a chair.

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Letter from the Publisher

Popularity Contest

What Exactly Is Arlington Tech?

Is it a trade school? A STEM program? Here's an inside look at one unusual little high school's alternative approach to education and career readiness.

This Arlington Book Club Has Been Meeting For More Than 50 Years

Helen Hyman, a former Arlington schoolteacher, founded the club in 1967 to bring neighborhood moms together while their kids were in school.

Get Away: National Museum of the United States Army

Opened on Veterans Day 2020, the Fort Belvoir museum chronicles military history through art, artifacts, audio tours and more.