Owner Closes Arlington Spot Selling His Grandma’s Bolognese After 7 Months

Just seven short months after bringing pizzas, pastas, gelato, and New York strip steaks to Columbia Pike, Josephine’s Italian Kitchen has closed for good.

Josephine’s (2501 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia) was the third restaurant that co-owner Tony Wagner opened along the NoVa neighborhood’s car-heavy strip. His German beer garden BrickHaus and Twisted Vines Bistro & Bottleshop both closed last year as part of a plan to focus all eyes on his new 90-seat Italian kitchen.

Wagner, who lives near the now-defunct trio of businesses, tells Eater he’s “taking some time to focus on family needs and priorities,” adding “I have some plans for future projects in the works, but nothing firm to share just yet.”

Josephine’s was named after his Sicilian grandmother, with a bolognese based on her original recipe. Along with crispy goat cheese-stuffed eggplant, tuna tartare, and braised lamb shank, Jospehine’s served six Italian wines on draft and a gamut of Italian spirits, including amaro and limoncello. Its chef, Tom Crenshaw, was previously cooking at Paolo’s in Georgetown (now High Street Cafe).

Wagner says he’s “not aware of anyone else lined up” to take over the Josephine’s space, which included a 12-seat private dining room.

Wagner’s Twisted Vines has since been filled by Acme Pie Company. BrickHaus has been replaced by Rebellion on the Pike, notes ArlNow, which first reported on Josephine’s closure on Thursday.

• Here’s What Arlington’s Newest Italian Kitchen Is Serving [EDC]
• Josephine’s Italian Kitchen on Columbia Pike Closes [ArlNow]
• Arlington’s Brickhaus Plans Labor Day Debut, But No Beer Garden Yet [EDC]