Around Town | ALXnow

USPTO cafeteria reopens to the public with chef-curated menus

Published April 13, 2026 at 9:15AM

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) cafeteria reopens under new management. (courtesy of Jay Premack/USPTO)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s cafeteria has reopened under new management, coinciding with a busy season at the federal campus that recently welcomed the National Science Foundation.

USPTO’s Roundhouse Café officially reopened to the public March 30 at 600 Dulany Street in Carlyle, offering sushi, a made-to-order deli, salad bar, self-serve hot entrées and a hot bar, the agency announced. The venue plans to serve a rotating variety of “chef-curated” menus, seasonal promotions and guest restaurants.

Del Ray eatery’s free milkshakes for dancing customers offer goes viral

By James Cullum

Published April 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

Screenshot from a viral Instagram post by Holy Cow Del Ray (via Holy Cow Del Ray/Instagram)

A Del Ray eatery’s Instagram post promising free milkshakes has collected more than 4 million views.

In the March 17 post from Holy Cow Del Ray (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue), customers were told they could get free milkshakes by dancing. What followed is a compilation of adults and children dancing their ways through the burger joint’s front door to the counter. The post also got 388,000 likes, and the restaurant’s Instagram followers have since climbed from just over 4,000 to more than 10,000.

The Majestic reopens with new owner, New American menu in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published April 10, 2026 at 1:15PM

Chef Santiago Lopez, the new owner at The Majestic in Old Town (via Cultivate Hospitality)

Chef Santiago Lopez has officially taken over The Majestic in Old Town, bringing a flair for French and Mediterranean flavors.

Lopez recently bought the restaurant at 911 King Street from its previous owner, Alexandria Restaurant Partners. After a brief shutdown, the restaurant reopened today (Friday) at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m.

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Billie Jean, a dog seeking human companionship

By Emily Leayman

Published April 10, 2026 at 9:15AM

Billie Jean is an adoptable dog from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

Meet Billie Jean, a dog who loves cuddling just as much as her favorite people.

This 5-year-old dog is looking for a home where she can be around her human companions most of the day. An AWLA volunteer told ALXnow that Billie Jean prefers human company over canines.

McDonald’s closes Van Dorn Street location to build second drive-thru lane

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

McDonald's at 505 S. Van Dorn Street closed for repairs on April 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The McDonald’s at 505 S. Van Dorn Street in the Landmark/Van Dorn corridor closed this week to build a second drive-thru lane.

The second drive-thru lane was approved unanimously by the Planning Commission and City Council last year and will replace an existing loading area, which will be moved to the front of the building, according to a presentation from McDonald’s.

Code Ninjas Alexandria to host casting call for Netflix show

By Emily Leayman

Published April 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

Code Ninjas Alexandria will host a casting call for children's Netflix competition series "Schooled" (courtesy of Code Ninjas Alexandria)

An Alexandria learning center has been chosen to host an open casting call for a new Netflix children’s competition show.

Code Ninjas Alexandria will serve as a casting site for “Schooled,” a national competition series created by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer who worked on the Mars Curiosity rover and now runs an engineering school called CrunchLabs Academy.

The Birchmere Music Hall turns 60, several shows canceled in April lineup

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

The Squirrel Nut Zippers perform at The Birchmere (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Birchmere music hall, Alexandria’s most prominent musical venue, celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this month.

The 500-seat music hall at 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue opened in 1966, and has featured notable musical artists and performers across various genres, including Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and Dave Matthews. Originally founded in Arlington’s Shirlington neighborhood, the venue moved to Alexandria’s Mount Vernon Avenue in 1981. It has been at the current 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue location since 1997.

New coffee shop and wine bar aims for spring opening on Queen Street

By Katie Taranto

Published April 8, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cherry on Top is coming soon to Queen Street in Old Town (courtesy of Ksenia Varakina)

An upcoming café and wine bar in Old Town is getting closer to opening its doors.

Ksenia Varakina told ALXnow she is hoping to open her new business, Cherry on Top, around mid- to late May at 1021 Queen Street. There, she hopes to offer a variety of wine, espresso beverages, charcuterie and pastries across the shop and its accompanying 437-square-foot yard.

Spring2ACTion early giving begins today for Alexandria nonprofits

By Emily Leayman

Published April 8, 2026 at 9:15AM

Spring2ACTion marks 16 years in April 22, 2026 (via ACT for Alexandria)

Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s annual day of giving, kicks off early giving today (Wednesday) — two weeks before the main event.

The fundraising campaign supporting local nonprofits is marking its 16th year on Wednesday, April 22. Early giving runs through April 8 up to the event date.

532 Yoga, Arts & Culture to hold grand opening in Old Town North on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

532 Yoga, Arts & Culture in Old Town North (via 532 Yoga/Facebook)

An early tenant of Old Town North’s emerging arts district is holding its official grand opening this Saturday (April 11).

After closing its longtime location at 532 N. Washington Street and working from a pop-up at Founders Hall, 532 Yoga, Arts & Culture will hold a grand opening at its new permanent home at 500 Montgomery Street. The free event will feature live violin music, a presentation by artists Xenia Gray and Cari Babitzke, and snacks and drinks. The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m., and coincides with the studio’s 14th anniversary.

Five Alexandria restaurants make appearance in regional RAMMY finalists

By Emily Leayman

Published April 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Matt & Tony's at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Matt & Tony's/Instagram)

Five Alexandria eateries have advanced to finalist status in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) at The Hamilton Live in D.C. by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington span regional chains, chef-driven favorites and independent restaurants. The 20 categories of the RAMMYs recognize the region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.