"Pupatella, the certified Neapolitan-style pizzeria that has been churning out destination brick-oven pies, arancini, and gelato at its original Arlington location since 2010, expects to open its second shop in the Northern Virginia hamlet next week. Partner Anastasiya Laufenberg tells ARLnow that she and Enzo Algarme are training staff at 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive and “should” start selling pizza there next week. The new pizzeria, formerly an Ethiopian restaurant, is just off South Glebe Road, not far from Army Navy Country Club and the Arlington Cinema Draft House. The space, which was originally slated to open this summer, is 2,200 square feet and includes a 40-seat covered patio area. Formerly a food truck, Pupatella is in the midst of an expansion stemming from a $3.75 million round of fundraising. The brand has franchised two locations in the Richmond area and eventually plans to open eight pizzerias in the next few years. Founding partner Michael Berger told Eater in the spring that Pupatella already has a lease for a third Northern Virginia shop, at 1821 Wiehle Avenue in Reston." - Gabe Hiatt
