Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at ALXnow. She previously covered local businesses at ARLnow and K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

Good Spirit Cafe brings wellness, creative events to Eisenhower Avenue

By Katie Taranto
Good Spirit Cafe’s ribbon cutting (via Good Spirit Cafe/Facebook)

A local cafe with an emphasis on spirituality and artistic endeavors celebrated its grand opening in Eisenhower East over the weekend.

Good Spirit Cafe held a ribbon cutting during the second annual Eisenhower Block Party at 2361 Eisenhower Avenue on Saturday (June 6), commemorating its new presence in the neighborhood over the past few months.

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Around Town

Owner of Bastille Brasserie and Bar launches new galetterie in Alexandria this week

By Katie Taranto
Galette Complete from Maison Breizh (courtesy of Maison Breizh)

The owner and chef behind a longtime French restaurant in Alexandria is introducing a new galetterie and crêperie in Alexandria this week.

Maison Breizh is a new concept launching behind Bastille Brasserie & Bar, with a “soft opening” starting tomorrow (June 4) at 1205 Pendleton Street. The galetterie’s eponymous menu item, the galette, is a French-style savory crepe made with a buckwheat-based batter.

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Around Town

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream to have $1 scoops at Old Town opening in June

By Katie Taranto
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream options (courtesy of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream)

Just in time for the hot summer months, Old Town’s ice cream scene continues to expand with the arrival of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

The New York City-based ice cream brand has announced it will hold a grand opening on Thursday, June 18 for its new shop at 400 King Street. Customers can receive celebratory $1 scoops from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on opening day, and the first 100 guests will get a branded tote bag.

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Around Town

Life Alive Cafe to offer samples at farmers market ahead of June opening in Old Town

By Katie Taranto
Life Alive Cafe interior (courtesy of Life Alive)

Guests at the Old Town North Farmers’ Market will be able to sample food from a fast-casual vegetarian restaurant opening soon in Alexandria.

Life Alive Cafe — which plans to open Tuesday, June 9 at 400 King Street — will make an appearance at today’s market (May 28) from 3-7 p.m. at 901 N. Royal Street. The restaurant will also appear at the market on Thursday, June 11, according to a newsletter from the Old Town North Community Partnership.

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Around Town

Old Town businesses host ‘Analog Bag Weekend’ for screen-free hobbies

By Katie Taranto
Display at Penny Post (via Penny Post/Facebook)

An earlier version of the story said “Analog Bag Weekend” would occur this weekend, but businesses have updated the event timing to June 12-14.

Five local businesses in Old Town are hosting a weekend of discounts to encourage hands-on, screen-free activities.

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Around Town

Italian restaurant and new café aim for early 2027 openings in Old Town North

By Katie Taranto
Rendering of redeveloped 425 Montgomery Street (via Carr Properties)

This story was updated with additional details and a new rendering from a Carr spokesperson.

Plans for a new Italian restaurant and a café are progressing in Old Town North, with both expected to open early next year.

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Around Town

Tickets on sale for annual Taste of Del Ray festival next month

By Katie Taranto
Taste of Del Ray vendors in 2024 (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Tickets are now on sale for the Taste of Del Ray food festival, a yearly event spotlighting the neighborhood’s food scene.

Now in its 17th year, the event put on by the Del Ray Business Association is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). The event will feature samples and live music by Mars Rodeo as attendees vote on their favorite bites.

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Around Town

Alexandria participating in Bike to Work Day with prizes, giveaways next week

By Katie Taranto
Cycling at Potomac Yard Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and the D.C. region are gearing up for an annual celebration of bike commuting next week.

On Friday, May 15, Alexandria will host six citywide “pit stops” for national Bike to Work Day, where cyclists can partake in special events and giveaways. The free event “encourages the public to consider bicycle commuting as an affordable, fun, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation to get to work,” according to a city announcement.

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Around Town

Annual ALX Craft Beer Festival coming to Atlas Brew Works this month

By Katie Taranto
Atlas Brew Works beer (courtesy of Atlas Brew Works)

Several regional breweries will come together later this month for the annual ALX Craft Beer Festival, offering a taste of their signature brews.

The festival will feature a variety of ale, lager, pilsner and other beers from local makers, including host Atlas Brew Works. The festival is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Atlas Alexandria Brewery & Tap Room at 2429 Mandeville Lane.

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Around Town

Hank’s Pasta Bar launching dine-in service in Old Town this week

By Katie Taranto
Hank's Pasta Bar in Old Town (courtesy of Deb Lindsey Photography)

An Italian takeout and delivery spot in Old Town with customizable pastas is preparing to celebrate the launch of its new dine-in service.

Hank’s Pasta Bar, located above Hank’s Oyster Bar at 600 Montgomery Street, is officially launching dine-in service this Thursday, May 7, with a grand opening celebration scheduled next Thursday, May 14. The restaurant, an “elevated casual eatery,” has a full bar and offers a menu of “traditional Italian fare with contemporary touches,” according to a press release.

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Around Town

Old Town’s Il Porto to celebrate rebrand with ‘Renaissance’ dinner tomorrow

By Katie Taranto
Il Porto Ristorante on King Street (via Google Maps)

A longtime Italian restaurant in Old Town is celebrating its rebranding with a special dinner tomorrow night (Thursday).

Il Porto Ristorante is working on “refreshing the brand” at 121 King Street, with plans for a new logo, revised website and updated menus “to reflect a more modern look while staying true to what Il Porto has always been,” a spokesperson told ALXnow.

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