While I appreciate the spirit of this post, I think you are misguided on two accounts. The first is how much of Arlington you are overlooking (have you ever gotten off of Wilson bld? And really, Taco Bell? There are far better Mexican options even on Wilson, let alone Columbia Pike or Lee Highway.) The second thing, who cares whether DC residents don't come to Arlington? Frankly I think those recent grads you talk about are bad enough for the family friendly community, who wants snobby Washingtonians on top of it?

And I say all of this as an ex-Arlington resident of four years before moving into the district about three years ago. Trust me, Arlington is better off without Washingtonians feeling comfortable visiting.

Oh and parking is far from free in arlington. The car tax is a lot more than DC fees.

Agreed, good spirited post but, "The number one reason why the “city” friend won’t join you for Happy Hour at the Front Page is..." there already is one in DC (that is just as bad as the one in VA). Roof tops, Black cat, hookahs, etc. DC's got 'em and you have a better chance NOT to be towed in DC. Though we'd prefer if the burb dwellers would Metro; traffic and parking are bad enough without the extra cars.

Arlington’s low bar diversity and mediocre dining choices does not help either, since it’s population is a bit more, let’s see, homogeneous

Jumping into the fray here, as an Arlington resident... mediocre dining choices? Try Carlyle Grand Cafe in Shirlington, Willow in Ballston, or Ray's the Steaks in Courthouse. Any of them can beat many worthy opponents in the District. Homogenous populations? I know this has been mentioned before on DCist, but the population in Arlington is as or more diverse than most of NW DC. Hispanic, Asian, African... you name it. I'm not going to touch the bar comment, because I do think those could improve here, but then again, last time I checked DC seems to have a lot of Irish pubs, swank hotel bars, trendy NYC-wannabe bars... bars just about anywhere follow proven formulas.

I cringed when I started reading this post, because like other commenters have already said, who wants to convince someone to come visit? Just like DC residents who often comment on not liking out-of-place Arlington visitors... I would say that if people in DC want to come hang out in Arlington, and find places that suit their mood, then welcome & enjoy... and those that don't can gladly stay on their side of the Potomac. Last I checked, from all the new condos selling out and new restaurants going up, Arlington isn't having trouble with finding people to fill the space.

i think its harder to get VA folk to cross the river.

Eric G: Huh? That doesn't make any sense. The ones that are empty are probably not ready to live in yet. If all the Arlington condos were empty (and presumably you just mean new construction; I live in an older building and it definitely stays full), then the prices would simply drop.

You can't mean to tell me that real estate developers would just sit on empty condos, in prime locations (and say what you like, but when they're building new condos in Herndon and Bowie, Arlington is prime).

Eric G. While there have been some condos sitting empty in some of the new buildings, for the most part that has been only a temporary situation. I do agree that they are building too many buildings too fast, but not because I think they won't fill up, but because I'm not sure the neighborhood will be able to absorb that many people very well, or at least without some serious growing pains.

The only thing about Clarendon that's been a disaster is that the great old fashion hardware store was closed to build yet another Irish pub pursuant to Arlington's new one Irish pub per block zoning.

But seriously, the reason why Arlington is better off without Washingtonians is that it really doesn't have so much more to offer vistors than they can find in DC itself. The best parts of Arlington are what it provides to its residents; namely, a lot of the amenities of the city, with a beautiful residential setting and a great community feeling (at least to those who seek it), plus ridiculously good public schools to boot.

I think Arlington is better off sticking with providing services and entertainment to its residents alone, not the whole metro area. Failing to do that is why Adams Morgan became what it became. I'd like to see Arlington to stay more insular.

honest to god, i know you guys were asking us all for submissions to opinionist, but this is pathetic. it's like we're being trolled here....

orleans house? really? can't say i can agree on that one except for the kitsch factor and metro proximity.

The Office of the Bar Counsel yesterday issued its lightest sanction, an informal admonition, to D.C. Council member Adrian M. Fenty for his failure to guard the assets of an elderly man he was assigned to protect six years ago.

Fenty's conduct in the case "reflected a disregard of certain ethical standards," Wallace Eugene Shipp Jr. wrote in a four-page letter delivered to Fenty's attorney. "In sum, the record reveals that you either were not aware of, or did not comply with, several rules and laws governing guardianship and conservatorship, and your actions fell below acceptable standards."

Although Fenty violated rules related to competence, diligence and respect for the administration of justice, Shipp wrote that his office settled on an informal admonition in part because Fenty had no prior disciplinary record, acknowledged his responsibility in the case and "cooperated fully" with the bar counsel's investigation. Fenty also repaid the estate of his ward, William Hardy Sr., "so that the ward was not harmed," Shipp wrote.

In the District, a violation of the rules of professional conduct can carry penalties ranging up to disbarment.

Fenty (D-Ward 4) said he will not challenge Shipp's ruling. His acceptance brings to a close a matter that had cast a shadow over his record as he enters the hotly contested 2006 race for mayor.

"I'm not going to make excuses," Fenty said. "It shouldn't have happened. It won't happen again. But it did happen, and when you make mistakes, you have to be willing to accept responsibility. . . .

"This puts this matter behind me. It's the lowest sanction they can give. It means there's no formal action taken against my license."

Fenty, 34, has not practiced law since he won election to the council in 2000 on a pledge to abandon all outside employment. Hardy's case was among the last he handled before his inauguration in January 2001.

The case dates to 1999, when Fenty was working as a clerk for the council's Education Committee, planning his first council race and accepting court appointments as a newly licensed attorney. That April, a judge appointed him to serve as guardian to Hardy, 88, a retired Navy worker who was allegedly being swindled by his granddaughter, court documents show.

Fenty neglected the case from the start, Shipp found. He failed to immediately inventory Hardy's assets. He submitted only one report detailing Hardy's condition and assets, although he was required to do so every six months. And when Fenty asked to be released from the case in 2000, he "failed to file an accounting . . . revealing the whereabouts of the ward's assets, as ordered by the Court."

When a new guardian, Kimberly Edley, took over, she asked the judge to appoint a special master to investigate Fenty's conduct, court records show. In 2001, the special master determined that more than $22,000 had disappeared from Hardy's bank account on Fenty's watch.

A judge later ordered Fenty to reimburse $15,000 to Hardy's estate, saying Fenty "made a series of errors that lead to both the improper withdrawal of funds by Mr. Hardy's family."

Fenty said that he paid $10,000 and that his attorneys recovered $5,000. An additional $7,000 was later determined to have been spent for Hardy's benefit.

Shipp declined to discuss the case, saying his findings were not yet public because Fenty had yet to formally accept the penalty. In general, an informal admonition is the bar counsel's "quietest form of yelling," Shipp said. "Basically, the subtext is, 'This didn't warrant us prosecuting you, but we expect you to do better in the future.' "

Hardy died in April, shortly after his 94th birthday. Edley, who was still serving as his legal guardian, would not comment on the bar counsel's decision.

Really, when was the last time that (personal connection notwithstanding) you heard of a neat restaurant, bar, theatre, or even store that was located in Arlington and went "wow, I really need to try that out"?

The suburban reputation for stultifying homogeneity was well earned. Freya references this when she writes "...since it’s population is a bit more, let’s see, homogeneous than the cosmopolitan city that D.C. thrives to be." Grammar aside, it is not the population's diversity, but rather the availability of options other than the odious La Tosca, the fit-only-for-Texans Cheesecake Factory etc etc.

Simply put, there is nothing there that is worth a 30 minute (or even 5 minute) drive. Freya should be glad her friends give her the perfect excuse to leave her Red State apartment and visit the city.

Well, the only things that get me to the Commonwealth these days are cheap cigarettes, Target, Harris Teeter, and, yes, the Apple Store. Luckily if you plan it right you can hit them all in one run and get back to DC with plenty of time for dinner. Oh, unless the traffic sucks, which is usually.

The suburban reputation for stultifying homogeneity was well earned.

Yeah, sure, whatever.

No one has mentioned the Cinema 'n Drafthouse. Doesn't anyone else think mediocre pizza, pitcher after pitcher of Ashburn's best, and Transamerica is a delightful combination?

What about bars being total sausage fests?

Brendan, is it obvious which dry cleaner serves armenian chicken?

Ooops, you're right about the author. My apologies to Hemal for linking her to Freya's Jr. High writing.

And I had to laugh at the posting by Petworthian. I don't know any DC resident who goes to Petworth for anything but crack and a $5 'ho.

I'm sure residents of Dupont and G-town would rather hang in Petworth than Arlington.

The nightlife in NOVA is somewhat bogus. But the best part about Arlington isn't the nightlife--it's the spacious living and convenient amenities. My DC friends have no problem coming to Crystal City if I'm throwing a party in my apartment. And the cab rides really aren't all that bad. The DC zone system changes to cost per mile whenever a DC cab goes into VA or MD. If you want to know the exact fare to anywhere, just plug that little fare-phone number on the DC cab windows into your cell and call during business hours. That's how I know the general fare from most fun places in the District to my apartment. To sum up: Arlington is a better place to live than to go out in. DC-residents don't worry, we'll come to your hood when we want swanky, hip bars. And we'll make our way back to our comfortable, quiet Arlington abodes when the night's over.

Living in DC and not knowing much about arlington, I read this post hoping to be informed about places worth the trek. I enjoy trying new places even if it's in NoVA. This post sorely under-delivered.

On the flipside, PLS, you can pretty much take this post as list of places to avoid (except Iota - which will serve good food and better music).

I live in the district and there are two things that get me to go to Arlington (other than visiting the 2 friends I have over there).

1) El Cabrito Caminante. I just recently discovered their fantastic tacos de cabrito.

2) Dr. Dremos. I've lived in DC for two years and I hate to say it, but my favorite bar is in Arlington: good music, great beers, never over-crowded, never pretentious, and plenty of dart boards.

Still though, because they are across that river, I rarely make it over there.

"There's something about dry cleaning chemicals and food that just doesn't mix. Oh, that's right, it's cancer. How exactly did they pass health inspection to serve food?"

My guess, Politburo, is that like just about every dry cleaner around, they don't actually do any dry cleaning on-site.

Jason: I couldn't agree more (about venturing into other parts of the area). I've had great experiences in many different corners of the DC metro area, and I know lots of people who haven't been to many of those areas, and I think they're missing out. Honestly, if I had to defend Arlington, that would be one thing I would say: between easy parking/highway access, and easy metro access, I think it's a lot easier for us to explore the rest of the area. I don't know, I have DC friends who never explore the surrounding areas (either for lack of car or lack of interest), and I have friends that live "outside the beltway" who never explore the city since it's such a PITA for them to get there.

But I do feel like there's sometimes a double-edged sword: that if I spend a lot of time in neighborhoods other than mine (particularly if they're in the District), then I'm somehow admitting there's nothing fun to do in my neighborhood... and then if I stay in my neighborhood, I'm being one of those narrow-minded NoVA residents unwilling to explore the city. Come on, people... it shouldn't matter where a place is located, it should matter whether you enjoy the people & atmosphere at the place. Which shouldn't be hard, since many of us are in the DC area for the same reasons and with similar backgrounds.

I'm continually amazed by people who live in one part of the Metro area who have this Taliban-like thing about never venturing into another part of the Metro area.

Are other metro areas like this? I've never heard a Philly resident haughtily skewer Doylestown. Do people from LA take pride in their aversion to Long Beach or Anaheim?

Where's the love for the Italian Store?

Are other metro areas like this? I've never heard a Philly resident haughtily skewer Doylestown. Do people from LA take pride in their aversion to Long Beach or Anaheim?

Well... I always thought this was something we imported southward from NYC, with the aversion to "B&T" types? Which is why I've always found the whole idea amusing here, since it's basically superimposing another area's dynamics onto us, without paying any attention to regional variations in neighborhoods and attitudes.

I think it happens a lot here (and perhaps NYC too) since the presence of different states, and rivers, makes jurisdictional lines very clear. I also think the distribution of jobs here (into places like Tysons Corner, Rockville, etc) and the height restrictions in DC lead to more city-like development outside city lines. Which gives you more of an active comparison. To use the Doylestown example, since I am somewhat familiar with that area -- one could never confuse Doylestown as a "destination," in the same way that cases could be made for Arlington, Bethesda, and Silver Spring. The Long Beach example doesn't work at all, because it's too far from LA (would be more like saying it's hard to get DC residents to come up to Baltimore). And besides, all of LA is a suburb :-P