Del Ray | ALXnow

Published April 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Matt & Tony's at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Matt & Tony's/Instagram)

Five Alexandria eateries have advanced to finalist status in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) at The Hamilton Live in D.C. by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington span regional chains, chef-driven favorites and independent restaurants. The 20 categories of the RAMMYs recognize the region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.

Around Town

Del Ray House & Garden Tour tickets on sale after sold-out 2024 event

By Emily Leayman

Published April 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

A house featured on the 2024 Del Ray House & Garden Tour (Courtesy of Del Ray Citizens Association)

After a sold-out event two years ago, tickets are on sale for the next Del Ray House & Garden Tour returning on Saturday, May 9.

The biennial tour, hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association, gives ticket holders access to participating homes and gardens throughout the neighborhood. This year’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Around Town

Del Ray Pizzeria rebrands as Del Ray Public House, plans new upstairs concept

By James Cullum

Published March 31, 2026 at 11:45AM

Del Ray Public House, 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray Public House unveiled its new branding this week, officially moving on from its 16-year-old Del Ray Pizzeria concept.

The Del Ray Pizzeria initials remain on the signage at 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue, and pizza stays on the menu, but the overall focus of the business started changing in January with the introduction of new Southwest-inspired flavors, owner Laurel Fisher told ALXnow.

Around Town

Del Ray’s Little Birdie aims to elevate the chicken sandwich this June

By James Cullum

Published March 26, 2026 at 11:45AM

The former Benny DiForza's Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The owners of a popular all-day brunch restaurant in Del Ray have a new concept with chicken on their minds.

Matthew Sloan and Eric Brannon are currently asking the city’s permission for 10 outdoor dining seats at their new restaurant, Little Birdie. The space at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue was formerly occupied by Benny DiForza’s Pizza, which opened in February 2024 and closed last October.

Around Town

Entrepreneur seeks to bring community center to Virginia Tech building in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published March 25, 2026 at 8:30AM

Ashley Wood (left) and daughter Lily at Soulo Studios (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A three-story Virginia Tech building in Old Town may soon be repurposed into a community center through the work of a Del Ray entrepreneur and creative.

Ashley R. Wood, the founder and author behind the arts-focused workspace Soulo Studios at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue, is working to bring her next endeavor to life: Lily’s Garden Creative and Cultural Community Center. The prospective center, named after Wood’s 4-year-old daughter, would open at 1021 Prince Street, which is currently part of Virginia Tech’s Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center.

Around Town

Alexandria restaurants named semifinalists for regional RAMMY Awards

By Emily Leayman

Published March 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

Chicken and waffles at Matt & Tony's (image via Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen/Facebook)

Several Alexandria restaurants are in the running for the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s restaurant awards.

The association named 190 semifinalists for the RAMMYs, given annually to members of the D.C. region’s restaurant industry. This was the first time semifinalists were publicly announced in the four decades of the awards, providing an early glimpse at which chefs, restaurants and hospitality staff are in the running.

Around Town

Memorabilia-filled Del Ray pop-up dive bar to open at the end of March

By James Cullum

Published March 17, 2026 at 3:45PM

Beer signage at the Del Ray Dive at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

After a weather delay, a popular Del Ray pop-up bar’s next rendition is opening at the end of this month.

Owner Bill Blackburn told ALXnow that the Del Ray Dive at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue has everything a good dive bar needs, from fake wooden paneling to Alexandria memorabilia, and even a White Claw claw machine.

Around Town

Del Ray restaurant owners to open concept at former pizza shop

By James Cullum

Published March 17, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated March 17, 2026 at 2:07PM

The former Benny DiForza's Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The owners of Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar (1501 Mount Vernon Avenue) have filed paperwork to open a sister location across the street in Del Ray.

Restaurant owners Matthew Sloan and Eric Brannon are asking the city for permission to allow 10 seats of outdoor dining for the space formerly occupied by Benny DiForza’s Pizza (1504B Mount Vernon Avenue) for a new restaurant named Little Birdie, according to their special use permit application.

Around Town

March Madness in Alexandria: Where to watch and find deals

By Katie Taranto

Published March 17, 2026 at 10:30AM

Inside Don Taco (via Don Taco/Facebook)

Numerous restaurants and sports bars in Alexandria are gearing up for March Madness this week, with plans to offer specials on drinks and bites while the games play on.

Fans will get to see how their March Madness brackets fare when the NCAA men’s tournament’s first round begins Thursday (March 19) and women’s tournament follows on Friday (March 20). Games run until the final championship games on April 5 (women) and April 6 (men).

News

Landlord drops lawsuit against Del Ray beer garden owners

By James Cullum

Published March 13, 2026 at 3:15PM | Updated March 13, 2026 at 5:34PM

The Garden at 1503 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

The landlords of a popular beer garden in Del Ray have dropped their eviction lawsuit against their tenants.

Despite the win, Jeremy Barber and Justus Frank, the owners of The Garden (1503 Mount Vernon Avenue), are still suing their landlords at Twenty-Third Street Corridor LLC, and plan to go back to Alexandria Circuit Court in October.

Around Town

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray closing Monday for interior renovations

By James Cullum

Published March 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray (via Wayne Hulehan)

Regulars at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub will soon have to get their fix somewhere else — temporarily.

Starting Monday, the coffeehouse at 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue will close for up to 10 days for interior renovations. Owner Larry Ponzi tells ALXnow that the project will give the coffee shop a fresh look.