Around Town

Chef Santiago Lopez has officially taken over The Majestic in Old Town, bringing a flair for French and Mediterranean flavors.

Lopez recently bought the restaurant at 911 King Street from its previous owner, Alexandria Restaurant Partners. After a brief shutdown, the restaurant reopened today (Friday) at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m.


Around Town

An upcoming café and wine bar in Old Town is getting closer to opening its doors.

Ksenia Varakina told ALXnow she is hoping to open her new business, Cherry on Top, around mid- to late May at 1021 Queen Street. There, she hopes to offer a variety of wine, espresso beverages, charcuterie and pastries across the shop and its accompanying 437-square-foot yard.


Around Town

An early tenant of Old Town North’s emerging arts district is holding its official grand opening this Saturday (April 11).

After closing its longtime location at 532 N. Washington Street and working from a pop-up at Founders Hall, 532 Yoga, Arts & Culture will hold a grand opening at its new permanent home at 500 Montgomery Street. The free event will feature live violin music, a presentation by artists Xenia Gray and Cari Babitzke, and snacks and drinks. The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m., and coincides with the studio’s 14th anniversary.


Around Town

A new program helping people with disabilities hone their art skills will be put on display at Old Town’s B.E.S.T. Gift Shop tomorrow (Friday).

The boutique, run by nonprofit ServiceSource at the B.E.S.T. Gift Shop (919 King Street), will hold an end-of-residency art show from 1-3 p.m. The exhibition showcases work by George Mason University graduate student Francesca “Franki” Campos and Arts & Abilities program participants.


Around Town

Nestled within an industrial area of Alexandria’s Eisenhower West, a seemingly nondescript startup with a small sign near its front door is revolutionizing wireless communication in challenging environments around the world.

Saltenna moved to Alexandria from its previous headquarters in McLean last August, and its 20 employees have been using its proprietary plasmonic wave technology to help various U.S. government agencies communicate in dense jungles, underwater and through metal. The technology essentially shrinks light waves down to a nanoscale and guides them on various surfaces via an antenna.


Around Town

A local wine shop is preparing to celebrate a new chapter in Alexandria this weekend.

D.C. wine boutique DCanter is hosting a grand opening for its second location, DCanter Alexandria, from 12-4 p.m. Saturday (April 4) at 1101 King Street, Suite 112. Led by couple Michelle Lim Warner and Michael Warner, the shop focuses on sustainably made and organic wines sourced from small, independent producers.


Around Town

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

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.


News

Three candidates vying for an open seat on City Council will participate in a forum Wednesday (March 25) in Alexandria’s West End.

ALXnow is moderating the West End Business Association forum, which will be held at Feru Bar and Restaurant (512 S. Van Dorn Street, Unit D) from 5-7 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will feature Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and former City Councilman Frank Fannon.


Around Town

A new Thai restaurant has opened in Alexandria’s Oakville development, between Potomac Yard and Del Ray.

Dok Khao Thai Eatery is currently in a soft opening at 2514 Richmond Highway with an all-day, Thai street food-inspired menu with more than a dozen specials from owner and chef Porntipa Pattanamekar, also known as “Chef Pat.” The restaurant includes an all-day menu and full-service bar, with space for about 100 guests.


Around Town

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.


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