Stellina Pizzeria, the essential Italian street food spot that bakes neo-Neapolitan pies near Union Market, will plant a flag in Northern Virginia later this year. The restaurant, which became a fast hit when it opened in 2019, announced plans today for a new 2,000-square-foot lease at the Village at Shirlington (2800 S. Randolph Street). The new addition will slide into the recently vacated home of Café Pizzaiolo with plans to open by the end of the year.

Stellina comes from chef Matteo Venini and restaurateur Antonio Matarazzo, who previously worked together at Lupo Verde’s group of full-service Italian restaurants. The Italian natives’ red-and-white tiled eatery in Northeast debuted in April last year, earning a place on the Eater 38 (pre-COVID) and a spot on the Bib Gourmand list for 2020.