Hi Neighbors, Café Pizzaolo is among the dozen Arlington restaurants that made the annual list: 12 Restaurants Make 'Best Bargains' Ranking (Created: Sunday, May 25, 2008 5:29 AM EDT) Twelve Arlington eateries have been named to Washingtonian magazine's 2008 list of “100 Best Bargain Restaurants.” Among those honored: Bangkok 54, Columbia Pike (“a serious kitchen that prizes big flavors and loves to play with textures”); Café Pizzaiolo, Crystal City (“the crispness of the crusts lends itself to takeout”); Delhi Club, Clarendon (“best for Indian-food fanciers who like it hot”); Eat Bar, Washington Boulevard (“attracts Clarendon's young and trendy”); Eleventh Street Lounge, Clarendon (“best for cozy dates . . . [and] late-night nibbles”); and El Pike/Pike Pizza, Columbia Pike (“one of the area's best places to experience Bolivian cooking”). Also on the list: El Pollo Rico, Ballston (“you're here for the Peruvian-style chicken, one bite of which will grab your attention”); Guajillo, Courthouse (“generous plates of robust Mexican cooking”); Minh's, Clarendon (“vast catalog of dishes from North and South Vietnam executed with authenticity and sophistication”); Pho 75, Rosslyn and other regional locations (“the area's best, most nourishing fast food”); Ravi Kabob I and II, Glebe Road (“these tiny Pakistani cafés . . . are in a class by themselves”); and Thai Square ('the focus is cooking, which pumps new life into familiar dishes”).

Lisa Koehler New Wachovia Bank in the hood! For Wachovia customers or folks looking to switch banks, we have a nice new Wachovia Bank branch in the hood!! The address is 1429 South Fern Street; on the corner of 15th and Fern and directly across from COSTCO. The Branch Manger, Hugo Lopez and his staff could not be nicer! Mr. Lopez is also an Oakridge alum! The bank has free parking beneath the building which is easily accessible from 15th Street. I also had no trouble finding parking within a block of the building. There is also a 24 hour ATM on Fern Street. Stop on in! Lisa Koehler

If anyone (ladies) haven't been by the new boutique on 23rd Street (across from Tortoise and Hare), you should make it a point to stop by. I've been twice and love the clothes there. New inventory both times and great prices. Definitely a store that I'm hoping will stay in business!