A Vending Machine in Shirlington Sells Pasta From One of D.C.’s Best Italian Restaurants

Stellina Pizzeria isn’t ready to open an incoming Northern Virginia location yet, but the acclaimed Italian counter in Union Market district has started servicing its new Shirlington neighborhood with a chic pasta vending machine. A refrigerated food dispenser parked at 2800 S. Randolph Street in Arlington offers family-size pasta kits ($30) to make cacio e pepe and lamb ragu at home, along with jars of its sauces, fresh noodles, DIY cannoli, tiramisu, Stellina T-shirts and swag, and more. “In Italy, but Europe generally, vending machines are already much more popular than here,” co-owner Antonio Matarazzo tells Washingtonian. “You can go buy wine 24/7.” Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted Sunday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

© Rey Lopez/Stellina
Stellina’s custom pasta vending machine gives Shirlington diners a taste of its soon-to-open location.

In other news…

• Just months after Dolcezza announced its Dupont Circle location was on the chopping block, the homegrown gelato chain made a surprise Connecticut Avenue comeback over the weekend with a refreshed look.

• Federal Realty’s Pike & Rose complex just set a Friday, February 26 opening date for Bark Social, a 30,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor cafe and off-leash park serving beer and wine, coffee, and treats for Fido.
• To cater to remote workers craving plant-based a.m. offerings all day, fast-casual HipCityVeg will bring back breakfast for the first time since April on Monday, February 8, at all D.C. and Philly locations, for carryout and delivery.

© HipCityVeg/official photo
HipCityVeg’s new Sunnyside sandwich with organic sausage, folded JUST Egg, and melted smoked gouda.

• In lieu of spending $5 million on a Super Bowl ad campaign, peanut company Planters will reroute $130,000 of funds to Hook Hall Helps. The pandemic-era food drive for struggling restaurant workers that just added a pickup point in Arlington has raised $600,000 to date.
• Chef Eric Ziebold and Célia Laurent, the couple behind high-end Kinship and tasting room Metier in Shaw, just entered the high-end home goods game with candles, soaps, linens, and ceramics reminiscent of their Michelin-rated restaurants. [W]
• The Station at Riverdale Park, the Prince George’s County complex home to Whole Foods and Denizens Brewing Co., will add a new 8,500-square-foot food hall, ghost kitchen, and bar later this summer. Calvin Cafritz Enterprises and Hospitality HQ are currently on the prowl for nine culinary vendors (local or national). Interested applicants can email [email protected].