food | ALXnow - Part 17

Notes: Enjoy ‘Beats, Bites and Brews’ at John Carlyle Square this weekend

Published July 27, 2023 at 8:59AM

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny and hot weather today, with a high of 99°F and heat index values reaching 106°F. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5pm, accompanied by 10-14mph southwest winds and gusts up to 24mph. The chance of precipitation stands at 60% with rainfall amounts varying. For Thursday night, anticipate showers and thunderstorms before 2am, followed by a slight chance of showers, mostly cloudy skies, and a low around 76°F. The 60% chance of precipitation continues, with potential rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch.

News

ALIVE! food drive aims to collect 30,000 pounds of food this month

By James Cullum

Published July 18, 2023 at 3:30PM | Updated July 19, 2023 at 11:11PM

Volunteers sort food at ALIVE! (Photo via ALIVE!/Facebook)

As the number of Alexandrians needing food assistance keeps rising, Volunteer Alexandria is asking residents to donate toward the first ever city-wide food drive.

Volunteer Alexandria has a goal to collect 30,000 pounds of canned food items by July 28 for ALIVE!‘s food bank.

News

‘Miami Vibes,’ a Miami Vice-themed pop-up bar opens today in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2023 at 2:15PM

Miami Vibes Pop-up at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Time to roll up your jacket sleeves, because it’s going to be an 80s summer in Del Ray.

Tonight is the soft opening for Miami Vibes, a Miami Vice-themed pop-up bar at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. The party starts at 6 p.m., and the drink menu is full of summer drinks like frozen daiquiris, mojitos and even an Old Fashioned with watermelon rum.

News

Waldo is hiding in 25 Alexandria businesses

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2023 at 10:45AM

Win prizes if you can spot Waldo at 25 Alexandria businesses (staff photo by James Cullum)

Where’s Waldo? Kids and parents with eagle eyes can spot him this month in 25 Alexandria businesses.

After you find Waldo at 10 businesses, spotters can collect prizes at Hooray for Books (1555 King Street) in Old Town. Collectors with at least 20 stamps on a passport (found at any participating business) can claim a Waldo temporary tattoo and store coupon.

News

District Biscuit Company in Del Ray claims to have created the perfect biscuit

By James Cullum

Published June 23, 2023 at 2:30PM

A breakfast biscuit sandwich at District Biscuit Company, 3401 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Flaky yet sturdy, Alex Rosenberg and Michael Vidal say they’ve created the perfect biscuit.

The owners of District Biscuit Company opened in December at 3401 Mount Vernon Avenue, offering a menu dedicated to Vidal’s creation.

News

Popular food truck serving all-vegan meals in Carlyle this afternoon

By Vernon Miles

Published June 22, 2023 at 11:30AM

Alexandria vegans rejoice: food truck The Vegan Factory is headed to Lost Boy Cider (317 Hooffs Run Drive).

The food truck hops around the D.C. region but it’s headed to the cidery in the Carlyle neighborhood today from 3-8 p.m.

News

Permit filed for Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published June 20, 2023 at 1:30PM

A special use permit has been filed to run a Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 424 S. Pickett Street (via Facebook)

Tropical Smoothie Cafe could soon be coming to Alexandria’s West End.

Owner Oubab Khalil filed a special use permit (SUP) on June 12 to run the restaurant at the space at 424 S. Pickett Street. The final day for public comments is July 6 before it goes to the Planning Commission and then City Council.

News

Gostov Boulangerie & Brasserie opening May 30 in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published May 24, 2023 at 10:45AM

After several months of delay, French bistro Gostov Boulangerie & Brasserie (2213 Mount Vernon Avenue) is set to open next Tuesday in Del Ray.

The notification that the bistro is opening was made by the Del Ray Business Association (Visit Del Ray) on Facebook and Instagram.

News

Alexandria chef Erinn Roth says her success is all about her mother

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:00AM

Erinn Roth, owner of Mrs. Jo's Petite Eats Patisserie & Cafe (via Facebook)

Erinn Roth credits her mother with everything.

Roth spent 24 years in the U.S. Army before starting Ms. Jo’s Petite Sweets in Alexandria in 2016. She literally had a dream about making cupcakes before retiring from the Army as a lieutenant colonel and told her parents she wanted to make desserts for a living.

News

Notes: Alexandria’s yellow Metro line reopens

By ALXnow.com

Published May 8, 2023 at 9:41AM

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

After eight months, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reopened it’s yellow line on Sunday. The line has been out of service since September to allow work on the Potomac River tunnel and bridge.

News

Giant Food on Duke Street adapts to shoplifting increase by locking one of its front doors

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2023 at 10:45AM

Shoplifting prompted the Giant at 3131 Duke Street to lock one of its two front doors (staff photo by James Cullum)

An increase in crime has resulted in the Giant Food store at 3131 Duke Street locking one of its two front doors, as staff say that shoplifting has become a daily occurrence.

“It’s kids, grownups, everybody,” store manager Zaina Calo told ALXnow. “They try to steal fish, and from the whole meat and seafood department, wine. It doesn’t matter. Anything, really.”