Arlington

Arlington’s Ambar Serves Balkan Cuisine That’s Earned a Michelin Nod

They had to call it fried chicken. At first, the restaurateurs at Ambar put their signature dish on the menu by its preferred name—“monastery chicken.” It was served for generations to the monks at Gracanica Monastery in Serbia, to end their fast. “But nobody ordered it when we called it monastery chicken,” says Uros Jojic,director […]

by Craig Stoltz

Virginia Food Halls are Social Hubs and Culinary Hotspots

Deciding where to eat: a struggle that continuously threatens to foil plans for a fun, food-filled night out. Suddenly, every category, flavor, and variety of food flies out of your head. When you know you want to go out to eat, but can’t think of what to eat, epic food halls do the hard work […]

by Hope Cartwright

Vinyl’s Back, Baby!

See why the vinyl revolution has taken hold in and outside of Virginia. A decade ago, vinyl accounted for less than two percent of physical album sales. But by 2017, as digital music began toppling CDs, vinyl was already on the rise. Today, Virginia’s two vinyl pressers face unprecedented demand as collectors […]

by tesauro jason

Celebrating Fat Tuesday

King Cakes rule Mardi Gras. Before Lent Begins, Chef David Guas is sure to be knee-deep in gold, green, and purple sugar—the colors of power, faith, and justice—in the Arlington kitchen of Bayou Bakery, where he creates the sweet treat that signals Mardi Gras, coming this year on Feb. 21. A […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Ruthie’s All Day

For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this Arlington hotspot is earning raves. REY LOPEZ Opened in the fall of 2020, Ruthie’s All Day has already nabbed a James Beard Award nomination and landed on countless best-of lists. The hearth-centered eatery by chef Matt Hill and partner Todd Salvadore offers wood-fired dishes like ribs […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Hail to the Cheese

Cheesetique is a paradise for NoVa’s turophiles. Meghan LaPrairie Since she opened Cheesetique in 2004, owner Jill Erber, a hard-core turophile—that’s a cheese lover to the rest of us—has been known as “the Cheese Lady.” And with good reason: Her cheese boutiques in Alexandria and Arlington offer an extensive selection of fine […]

by Staff

DEA Museum

Artifacts from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) surprise and fascinate. Stories of true crime and drug trafficking come vividly to life at Arlington’s DEA Museum. This newly renovated museum pays tribute to the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and explores the history and highlights of drug enforcement. The museum […]

by Staff

Global Flavors

Taste the world at these international specialty markets. Pasties At The Pure Pasty Co. in Vienna, discover Cornish pasties, both fresh and frozen, with all sorts of fillings. Traditional beef is a best seller, but consider trying chicken masala, veggie samosa, or cheese and onion—a gold medal winner in the 2018 World […]

by Staff

Literary Hub with Grub

Arlington’s Busboys and Poets satisfies the body and the mind. Michael Ventura / Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo M2H39F M2H39F USA Washington DC Food Busboys and Poets restaurant bar cafe and bookstore From book club meetings to poetry slams, Busboys and Poets—a combination bookstore, bar, restaurant, and event space—has become a […]

by Konstantin Rega

Mad for Mahjong

In this Arlington speakeasy, mahjong’s the name of the game. (Photography by Mariah Miranda Photography) There’s more than dim sum on the menu at Sparrow Room in Arlington. This speakeasy-style bar serving craft cocktails also doubles as a mahjong parlor. Mariah Miranda Located in the back of Bun’d Up […]

by Ashley Hunter

What Foods Say Spring?

We asked five chefs around the state. “Foraged ramps and morels. I love the combination. I pickle and dry them to last the whole year. I also love the first leaves of tender lettuce simply dressed with olive oil, sea salt, and lemon.” —Matt Hill, Ruthie’s All-Day, Arlington RuthiesAllDay.com […]

by Staff

Made in Virginia Awards 2021: Home & Lifestyle

From lamps to candles, here are our Home & Life category winners. Linen Towels and Aprons (Blue Skies Workroom: in Providence Forge) In her kitchen and studio, Alyssa Salomon always relied on simple linen towels for cleanups and wipe downs. So in 2016, after founding her Blue Skies Workroom project […]

by Markus Schmidt

Next in Line

D.C. Navy Yard seafood restaurant opens Arlington location. The Salt Line, known for its New England-style seafood, has come to Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood (since this September). In addition to the fresh oysters, lobster rolls, and raw dishes offered at the original location in D.C.’s Navy Yard, the Arlington outpost features Mediterranean and Italian […]

by Ashley Hunter

Arlington Poet Spotlight

Katherine E. Young is a Virginia poet whose work is inspired by the marvelous state she lives in. Woman Drinking Absinthe was published by Alan Squire Publishing in March 2021. The poems concern themselves with transgressions committed in the name of love, and include themes of lust, betrayal, guilt, redemption. In the book, Young employs […]

by Staff

Freeze, Float, Heat

New feel-good healing therapies are turning up statewide. Virginia 2 freeze float heat version 2 (Illustration by Andrew Baker) Entering the mainstream, three new healing therapies offer pain relief, improved sleep, even zen-like brain waves. If you haven’t sampled the latest, look for these trending therapies popping up in boutique spas in […]

by Staff

Globe Trotter

Meet Michael Wardian, a top competitor in the world’s longest and most grueling race. Kyle LaFerriere CK Visuals Mike Wardian Virginia Living Mike Wardian on the Lubber Run Park trail near his home in Arlington. (Photo by Kyle LaFerriere) Michael Wardian, 46, has competed in three Olympic trials, medaled at World Championships, and […]

by Sandra Shelley

Helix Habitat

Amazon’s second headquarters will bring new aesthetic and environmental standards to Arlington. (photo by Kyle LaFerriere courtesy of Amazon) AMAZON’S SECOND HEADQUARTERS will dramatically change Arlington’s skyline when construction wraps in 2025. Not only will the three 22-story buildings provide 2.8 million square feet of new office space, but one of them—dubbed […]

by Markus Schmidt

Pop-Up Pasta

An expanding Italian menu at Arlington’s Napoli Salumeria. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Courtesy of Napoli Salumeria LAST NOVEMBER, Washington, D.C.’s Napoli Pasta Bar opened Napoli Salumeria in Arlington as an Italian market and deli counterpart to the original restaurant. Now, as owner Antonio Ferraro temporarily closes the D.C. branch to search for a […]

by Ashley Hunter

The Sound, The Fury, and the Lanternfly

Learning to accept the things we cannot change—and which things need to be changed right now. Illustration by Zohar Lazar MY SPRING FEVER IS AS PREDICTABLE AS THE SEASONS. A string of 70-degree days sends me to the back patio, where I rhapsodize about the musty, rich odor of the forest coming […]

by Robert Nelson

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Events

June 30, 2025

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park offers breathtaking views, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife—the perfect prescription for nature lovers. Some spots to add to your itinerary include: This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Stacy Watkins

Arlington

Arlington’s Ambar Serves Balkan Cuisine That’s Earned a Michelin Nod

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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Arlington’s Ambar Serves Balkan Cuisine That’s Earned a Michelin Nod

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Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

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