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Morning Notes

Published February 24, 2020 at 8:00AM

The Mount Vernon Trail (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fire Officials Deny Seminary Road Political Pressure — “The AFD representatives… pushed back on allegations that the city had strong-armed the fire department into supporting a certain stance. ‘No one is going to force me… to put people in harm’s way – the first responders or the people that we’re charged to protect,’ Smedley said. ‘That’s my number one goal, and that goal can be accomplished with however many lanes are on the roadway, as long as certain measures are in place. If that is being jeopardized, I will dig in hard.'” [Alexandria Times]

Resident: New Seminary Road is an Improvement — “As someone who lives on a small cul-de-sac off of Seminary Road, I am a daily user of Seminary Road. I use the road several times every day as either a driver, walker, cyclist, or simply as a resident. The new Seminary Road is beneficial to me and to my neighborhood. We are able to live with greater safety no matter how we use the road. We are people who live here — not just drive through to some other location.” [Gazette Packet]

News

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub is Coming to Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published February 21, 2020 at 9:15AM | Updated February 21, 2020 at 8:58PM

A rendering of the St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Old Town (Image courtesy of St. Elmo's)

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub has been a Del Ray staple for decades, and it’s expanding to Old Town North.

Owners Christine and Larry Ponzi recently requested an administrative special use permit request for a change of ownership to operate the coffee shop and restaurant at 529 Montgomery Street in the mixed-use Edens property. Construction plans are set and permit applications will be submitted to the city in the coming weeks.

News

Two New Sushi Concepts Roll Into 728 King Street

By James Cullum

Published February 20, 2020 at 11:30AM

The Handover at 726 King Street is now open (Staff photo by James Cullum)

After months of construction, Old Town’s newest sushi restaurant officially opened its doors on Wednesday.

The Handover and King’s Ransom — two different concepts from the owners of The People’s Drug (103 N. Alfred Street)– opened to the public at 728 King Street. The previous occupant of the space, Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper and the PX cocktail bar, closed last summer.

News

New Nepalese Market Coming to West End Condo Building

By Vernon Miles

Published February 20, 2020 at 10:30AM

A new Nepalese restaurant and market is coming to the ground floor of a West End condominium complex.

Gorkha Nepal is a new location that will replace a previous restaurant and market in Watergate at Landmark, according to staff at the condo building. Like the old location, staff said the new Gorkha Nepal will give residents of the gated community a new place to eat and shop for some essential goods.

News

‘Old Hat’ Gastropub is Official at Former King Street Blues in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published February 13, 2020 at 2:15PM

Late last year there were rumblings of some activity at King Street Blues, but it’s official now: a gastropub called Old Hat is coming to 112 N St. Asaph Street in Old Town.

The awning outside the location still says King Street Blues, a former two-story barbecue and southern cuisine restaurant that’s been empty for at least two years. Inside, however, there’s work being done to renovate the space and turn it into a new pub.

News

New Sushi Restaurant Replacing Eammon’s in Old Town to Open Tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published February 12, 2020 at 11:45AM

The Handover and King's Ransom in Old Town (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Sushi restaurant The Handover, which is replacing Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper at 728 King Street, is planning opening tomorrow, according to staff at the restaurant.

A sign in the window says the restaurant is focused on hand rolls called temaki.

News

Sisters Thai Coming to Old Town North in May

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2020 at 9:20AM | Updated January 31, 2020 at 9:51AM

A new Thai restaurant and bakery is coming to Old Town North.

Sisters Thai tells ALXnow that it plans to open its doors at 530 Montgomery Street by early May.

News

Soft Opening for Carlyle Diner Set for End of January

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2020 at 10:40AM

The Carlyle Diner at 2050 Ballenger Ave. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Carlyle Diner is set for a soft opening at the end of this month.

The new restaurant is part of The Carlyle Club (2050 Ballenger Ave.), a nightclub featuring jazz and comedy shows and serving alcohol and classic American cuisine for dinner. The retro-style diner promises to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in the form of pancakes, shakes, burgers and an assortment of pies.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 22, 2020 at 8:00AM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Seminary Road Saga Continues — Despite suggestions “that the Alexandria Fire Department had significant input into the Complete Streets Design Guidelines and whether to narrow Seminary Road, documents obtained by city residents under the Freedom of Information Act reveal this was not the case.” [Alexandria Times]

Sushi Restaurant Coming to ‘West Alex’ — “Sushi Jin Next Door, which opened its first restaurant in Silver Spring in 2006 and now has a second location in Woodbridge, is opening a third location in Alexandria, Virginia. The new location will be part of the West Alex mixed-use development at King Street and North Beauregard Street.” [WTOP]

News

Indian Restaurant Spice Kraft Makes it Official With Ribbon Cutting in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated January 22, 2020 at 9:23AM

How spicy do you like your vindaloo? For the last five months, Spice Kraft (2607 Mount Vernon Ave.) has helped diners answer that very question, and on the frigid evening of Monday, Jan. 20, the restaurant finally held its ribbon cutting.

“We are finally settled down, and it took about four months,” said Spice Kraft manager Anthony Shankar. “We want to keep the price at a minimum level, but at the same time we want to give a very good experience in terms of service and food presentation.”

News

New Southern-Style Chicken Sandwich Eatery Opens in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 17, 2020 at 12:00PM | Updated January 17, 2020 at 3:48PM

If you’ve followed the recent widespread war over the best chain-restaurant fried chicken sandwich on the market, there’s a new homegrown player in Old Town.

Reston-based Thompson Hospitality, the owner of Hen Quarter at 801 King Street, has converted the first floor of the restaurant into the southern-style restaurant The Rub. While the second floor is still devoted to Hen Quarter, the new establishment, which opened on Thursday (Jan. 17) offers five fried chicken sandwiches with fries ranging in price from $8.50 to $12.50. The sandwiches are all made to order and take about eight minutes to prepare.