Del Ray | ALXnow

Del Ray’s Hi/Fi Tex Mex BBQ needed after-the-fact permission to cook food, now they need it for their sign

Published February 15, 2024 at 3:30PM

The owners of Hi/Fi Tex Mex in Del Ray are asking for after-the-fact approval of their sign (via City of Alexandria)

After getting after-the-fact permission from City Council to use their outdoor smoker, Del Ray’s Hi/Fi Tex Mex BBQ is now asking after-the-fact for approval of their electric sign.

The restaurant opened in the backyard of Evening Star Cafe (2000 Mount Vernon Avenue) in 2022, and got after-the-fact permission from the City Council to operate their outdoor smoker grills, despite complaints from neighbors. Last December, Washington Post food critic Tim Carman labeled the restaurant as one of the top ten best casual restaurants in the region.

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There’s a gondola outside the ‘Aspen on the Avenue’ popup in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published February 15, 2024 at 10:45AM

The gondola outside Aspen on the Avenue at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s nothing like numbing your aching body with a hot toddy after a long day on the slopes.

That’s the vibe that the owners of the Aspen on the Avenue popup (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue) have in mind. There’s a two-seat gondola parked outside the restaurant and bar greeting customers as they walk into a warm environment with a fake fireplace, a fake brick wall, lots of skis and two giant backlit photos of idyllic snowy scenes.

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Alcohol and outdoor seating could be coming to a popular new Del Ray pizza spot

By Vernon Miles

Published February 12, 2024 at 3:55PM

Benny Diforza's Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

New pizza restaurant Benny Diforza’s (1504B Mount Vernon Avenue) has been popular since opening last week. The restaurant was well attended this weekend, and according to an application with the City of Alexandria, there could be more space for diners soon.

Benny Diforza’s is part of a Benny’s Pizza chain with locations across Virginia, the Carolinas, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wyoming.

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Three Alexandria restaurants make Washingtonian food editor’s list of 19 favorite pizzas right now

By James Cullum

Published February 12, 2024 at 1:45PM

Stracci Pizza at 106 Hume Avenue in Del Ray (via Stracci PIzza/Facebook)

Washingtonian recently included three Alexandria restaurants in their food critic’s list of 19 favorite pizzas right now.

Washingtonian’s Executive Food Editor Ann Limpert included in her list “Stracci Bianca” at Stracci Pizza (106 Hume Avenue), the vodka pizza at Emmy Squared (124 King Street) and the white clam Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (3231 Duke Street).

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Major Del Ray flood mitigation project to hit planning milestone this spring

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2024 at 9:55AM

Flood warning signs in Del Ray (image via City of Alexandria)

The Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project — one of the largest flood mitigation projects in the city other than the huge RiverRenew project — is set to hit a planning milestone sometime this spring.

In a February Flood Action newsletter, city staff said the project is set to hit the “60% of the project design” milestone sometime this spring.

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Benny Diforza’s Pizza with 28-inch pies opening this week in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published February 7, 2024 at 2:30PM

Hayden Ko, manager of Benny Diforza's Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Got dinner plans for Super Bowl Sunday? Benny Diforza’s 28-inch pies will be available in Del Ray starting this week.

The restaurant has been in the works since last summer in the former home of Sicilian Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue. Manager Hayden Ko says the restaurant is waiting for one more permit approval from the city before the pizza oven gets fired up. She also said that the restaurant will open this week.

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Alexandria candidates launch campaigns, Gaskins and Chapman lead in fundraising

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated January 29, 2024 at 6:07PM

Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins kicking off her mayoral campaign at Indochen in Cameron Station, Jan. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s political scene is heating up, as a number of Democrat candidates formally launched their campaigns over the weekend.

City Council Member Alyia Gaskins held a packed kickoff at Indochen in Cameron Station on Sunday, following her opponent Vice Mayor Amy Jackson’s kickoff on Jan. 21 at Doyle’s Outpost in the West End. On Saturday, City Council Member Kirk McPike launched his campaign at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray and City Council Member John Taylor Chapman did the same at Port City Brewing Company.

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Del Ray’s Jesse O’Connell joins race for Alexandria City Council

By James Cullum

Published January 26, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated January 29, 2024 at 11:16AM

Del Ray's Jesse O'Connell is running for the Alexandria City Council (courtesy photo)

Del Ray’s Jesse O’Connell has thrown his hat into the City Council race.

O’Connell launched a campaign website this morning and announced his intention to run in an email.

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Del Ray bar Hops N Shine celebrating five year anniversary this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 26, 2024 at 11:15AM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

Del Ray/Arlandria bar Hops N Shine (3410 Mount Vernon Avenue) is celebrating its five-year anniversary tomorrow (Saturday) with live music, craft activities, and a local beer tasting.

The bar’s anniversary party is scheduled to run from 1-8 p.m. on Saturday, with arts and crafts for kids from 1-6 p.m. and live music from 2-6 p.m.

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Cold? Del Ray’s pop-up bar is going to resemble an Aspen ski lodge

By James Cullum

Published January 24, 2024 at 9:30AM

Skis for sale at Aspen On The Avenue at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

If you need a break from those harsh winter conditions, Del Ray’s seasonal popup bar will resemble a ski lodge in Aspen, Colorado, when it opens early next month.

“Aspen On The Avenue” is the latest effort from Homegrown Restaurant Group owners Bill Blackburn and “Mango” Mike Anderson. The bar and restaurant is being outfitted with skis on the walls, fake fireplaces and more.

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Off-site parking and shuttles are being considered for the new arena at Potomac Yard

By James Cullum

Published January 23, 2024 at 1:30PM

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and JBG Smith conducted a roundtable discussion with Alexandria business leaders at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Officials planning the $2 billion arena at Potomac Yard say that there will be multiple ways to park around and access the site, from accessing parking garages in nearby Crystal City and at Metro stations, with fans getting carted around in shuttles running up and down Potomac Avenue.

Transportation issues were the most frequently mentioned in a roundtable discussion on Monday with local business owners and representatives at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray. The dozen or so business leaders otherwise expressed support for the project.