new restaurant | ALXnow

New Southern-Style Chicken Sandwich Eatery Opens in Old Town

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.

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Thai Eatery and Bar to Replace Geranio Ristorante in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 14, 2020 at 11:45AM

722 King Street (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A new restaurant called Thai Signature could be taking over 722 King Street, once home to local establishment Geranio Ristorante.

Geranio Ristorante closed in 2018 after 42 years of serving up Italian meals and the building has been empty since then. Recently filed permits show, however, that Thai Signature could be taking over the space with a focus on offering street food from Thailand. The restaurant will also have a bar serving wine, beer and cocktails.

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Hinata Sushi Bar and Grill Aims for March Opening in North Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published January 6, 2020 at 1:00PM

Hinata Sushi Bar and Grill (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A new Japanese sushi bar and grill is coming to 909 N. Saint Asaph Street in North Old Town, but it’s still several months away.

The restaurant will be the first location for Chef Hyun Su Kim, as first reported by Alexandria Living Magazine, though Kim has worked in sushi restaurants throughout the region for 14 years.

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Something’s Afoot in Former King Street Blues Location

By Vernon Miles

Published December 10, 2019 at 4:30PM | Updated December 11, 2019 at 12:17AM

King Street Blues at 112 N. Saint Asaph Street (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

There are no signs on the walls or permits from the city visible, but there are nevertheless signs of life at the former King Street Blues restaurant at 112 N. St. Asaph Street.

Neighbors told ALXnow that movers bringing equipment into the space told them the new restaurant would be called Old Hat. A company under that name with the King Street Blues address was created on Sept. 11 this year.

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New Peruvian Restaurant Planning to Open in Bradlee Shopping Center Next Week

By Vernon Miles

Published December 3, 2019 at 2:00PM

Exterior of El Saltado (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The tables are set and the staff at El Saltado Restaurant and Carryout (3616 King Street) say it’s just about ready to open in the Bradlee Shopping Center.

The restaurant is replacing the Hong Kong Bistro on the east side of the shopping center. The restaurant will serve Peruvian food, though the website listed in flyers outside the restaurant still contains mostly placeholder descriptions and generic photos of food.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published November 21, 2019 at 8:00AM

Meeting About Detention Center Held Last Night — “Should a youth detention center in Northern Virginia stay open? That question spurred passionate debate at a series of public meetings this month, as the operators of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center make decisions about the future of the facility… ‘I would like to see the facility stay open because it helps youth,’ said Bill Cleveland, former vice mayor of Alexandria.” [WTOP, Twitter/@AmyJacksonVA]

City Council Approves Waterfront Restaurant — “The Mill, a southern kitchen and market, gained approval to open in a historic Alexandria warehouse at 10 Duke Street on the waterfront. City Council voted on Nov. 16 to approve the special use permit and encroachment into the public right-of-way on Duke Street for a balcony, steps and signage.” [Patch]

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‘Crafty Crab’ Coming to Alexandria’s West End

By Vernon Miles

Published November 20, 2019 at 4:30PM | Updated November 20, 2019 at 5:39PM

Crafty Crab seafood platter (photo via Crafty Crab)

(Updated 5:35 p.m.) Watch out, Red Lobster, there’s another crustacean crawling into town across Van Dorn Street.

According to a city permit application, the national seafood chain Crafty Crab is planning on moving into the shell of Portner Brewhouse (5770 Dow Avenue) in the Modera Tempo mixed-use development. A representative of the applicant confirmed the new location was part of the national chain.

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New Bubble Tea Spot “Spill the Tea” Hoping to Open Next Month

By ALXnow.com

Published November 19, 2019 at 2:00PM

(Updated at 2:15 p.m.) A new bubble tea joint near the Braddock Road Metro station called Spill the Tea could start serving next month.

The restaurant will be located at 515 Braddock Road, in the space once occupied by the now-shuttered Aveda. The exact opening date for Spill the Tea is still TBD, however.

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New Restaurant Coming to Former Eamonn’s Space in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published November 14, 2019 at 3:25PM

Closed Eamonn's at 728 King Street (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A new restaurant is in the works for the former Eamonn’s and PX spot at 728 King Street.

Tentatively labeled as “The Handover,” the restaurant has filed permit applications this week, seeking to serve beer and wine in a space with a seating capacity of up to 100.

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Choong Man Chicken Coming to the West End

By Vernon Miles

Published November 6, 2019 at 10:30AM

Korean chicken restaurant Choong Man Chicken is coming to the northwest corner of Alexandria.

Paperwork filed for the new restaurant says it will be moving into Suite 4668 at Shoppes at Summit Centre (4700 King Street), though suite is currently home to nail salon that said they have no plans to close, while the nearby Suite 4686 is currently vacant.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published November 6, 2019 at 8:00AM

Most City Facilities Open on Monday — “City of Alexandria government offices, libraries and recreation centers will be open on Monday, November 11.” [City of Alexandria]

Veterans Day Ceremony Planned — “The City of Alexandria and Friends of Rocky Versace will host the 18th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 1-2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Ave.).” [City of Alexandria]