Vermilion at 1120 King Street has some pretty prestigious fans.

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema shared a list of his five favorite spots around the area with an emphasis on international cuisine.

The last location on the list was Vermiilion, an Americana restaurant in Old Town known for its wine pairings.

Sietsema particularly praised the work of head chef Tony Chittum:

 Seemingly overnight, Chittum jump-started the Old Town stalwart with dishes that marry local bounty with practiced creativity.

Fried oysters? Been there, done that, but never where the crisp oysters are staged atop shells filled with what tastes like Waldorf salad. Chittum’s salads are beautiful haystacks, one night speckled radicchio with sheeps’ milk cheese, chips of fried Jerusalem artichokes and folds of country ham. Sweet scallops share their plate with fritters that mimic scrapple, and even steak — straightforward steak — is elevated when the beef comes with a bright salsa and blue cheese suspended in tempura.

Sietsema also praised the aesthetics of the restaurant, from the brick walls to flickering lanterns.

The restaurant is open nightly for dinner starting at 5 p.m. The bar opens at 4 p.m. Weekend brunch runs from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Photo via Vermilion Restaurant & Bar/Facebook

There’s a new Honduran restaurant in town.

Como En Casa (Just Like Home) opened last month at 4112 Mount Vernon Avenue in the former home of Ferman’s Bar & Grill. It’s the first restaurant for owner Jury Vaquedano, who brightened the interior by painting the walls, and adding large televisions, as well as a fresh menu and staff.

One thing that is sticking around is the rotisserie oven for cooking roasted chicken.

“We have great pupusas, chicken fajitas and tacos,” Vaquedano said. “Lunch is getting busier every day because people are finding out how good the food is.”

Vaquedano is in the process of getting a license to serve wine and beer, and wants to host Olympic watch parties this summer, as well as for other big sporting events.

The entrees at the restaurant cost between $15 and $30.

Vaquedano has owned a roofing company, JVC Home Improvement, for the last eight years. In 2018 she opened a food truck, El Sazon Catracho, but closed it in 2020. Since then, she’s worked with her sister’s Honduran restaurant in Springfield, Hondu Pollo (6959 Hechinger Drive).

Como En Casa serves breakfast all day and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There’s a new barbecue restaurant in an Old Town space that was previously home to… You guessed it — a barbecue restaurant.

Mystic BBQ & Grill formally opened this month at 220 N. Lee Street in the space previously occupied by Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque, the Zebra first reported. Myron Mixon’s closed last Christmas Eve.

RT’s Restaurant (3804 Mount Vernon Avenue) owners Ralph Davis and Matthew Davis took over the restaurant, after their special use permit was approved. The menu has undergone a visual and branding overhaul and the “southern-centric menu” also features fresh seafood, “including our signature spicy she crab soup, low country shrimp & grits & creole bouillabaisse,” according to the restaurant.

According to Mystic BBQ & Grill:

Opened in April 2024 by a family that has been operating restaurants in and around Old Town for almost 50 years. Located in the heart of Old Town, Mystic has a diverse menu featuring Texas style smoked brisket, baby rack ribs & Carolina pulled pork. Meats are smoked low & slow in BBQ champion Myron Mixon’s signature smoker that is front and center in our open kitchen.

BBQ is just one part of this southern centric menu that also features fresh seafood including our signature spicy she crab soup, low country shrimp & grits & creole bouillabaisse.  Not to be missed is the jumbo lump crab cake sandwich, which sets the standard for all of Old Town. Specialty sandwiches & unique salads are available all day in a casual setting that features upscale but moderately priced food. Great little wine list & large selection of draft beers are also available.  Don’t forget about the “bananas foster” bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream & brown sugar rum sauce.

The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

via Facebook

After a three-month renovation, Royal Restauraunt reopened to the public on Wednesday with an expanded menu and hours.

The favorite brunch spot was bought by Alexandria Restaurant Partners and Sloan Hospitality last fall, and after being up and running for three months closed in January. ARP refurbished the 123-year-old restaurant, added a 56-seat patio with a retractable awning, reupholstered the booths, built an inside bar and expanded its menu to include dinner.

“It’s a definitely a awesome growing area,” said partner Matt Sloan. “There’s been a lot of excitement people walking by, you know, there’s, there’s a good amount of foot traffic here.”

In Alexandria, ARP also owns Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Vola’s Dockside Grill, Riverside Taco Company, Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, The Majestic, Ada’s on the River and Barca Pier and Wine Bar. The company also owns a Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Café Tu Tu Tango in Orlando, Florida.

For Sloan, the move is the latest in a long collaboration with ARP. He was previously the general manager at ARP’s restaurant Ada’s on the River, and later left to open his own restaurant — Matt & Tony’s at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue. He also leased Matt & Tony’s from ARP.

D.C.-based architect David Anthony Chenault designed the interior, paying homage to the diner’s history with some modern elements.

“The walnut-colored bar, featuring a sleek stainless-steel top, handmade Soho tiles, and lightly antiqued glass mirrors, is complemented by oversized canvas art,” ARP said in a release.

The restaurant previously closed after brunch, and it’s new hours are 7 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Royal Restaurant will hold a ribbon cutting on Monday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m.

According to ARP:

Royal’s menu retains its beloved 1904 classics such as The Royal Breakfast, Classic Belgian Waffle with whipped butter and maple syrup, and the traditional Greek Omelet served with home fries and toast, ensuring longtime fans can still enjoy their favorite dishes. An array of new creations across all-day brunch, lunch, and, for the first time, dinner menus complement these staples.

Noteworthy additions to the all-day brunch selections include Crispy Fried Chicken Thighs with chorizo gravy and Steak & Eggs, marinated in guajillo for a spicy kick. Lunch and dinner “mains” include Country Fried Steak served with crispy potatoes and mole-spiced carrots, Prime Brisket Meatloaf with mashed potatoes, sweet and sour charred corn relish, burnt onion gravy and crispy onions, as well as a selection of savory starters, refreshing salads, and sandwiches like the “Club Sandwich” Torta on ciabatta, and the Green Chili Cheeseburger featuring roasted green chili, escabeche onions, bacon, sharp cheddar, and deli mustard piled heartily on a house ground chuck meat patty served on a warm brioche bun.

The new dessert menu invites guests to indulge in Roasted Apple Chimichangas and Ancho Chili Chocolate Mousse.

The City of Alexandria will kick off its 275th Anniversary celebration on Saturday at noon at Waterfront Park. Festivities will include an official proclamation by Mayor Justin Wilson and performances by the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums and Community Little Big Band.  Visitors can also explore historical exhibits and attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Buried Ships of Robinson Landing” exhibit at Robinson Landing. 

At Windmill Hill Park at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, Mayor Wilson and the City Council will dedicate the first of 275 trees to be planted across the city.

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy! 

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Friday, April 5

Things To Do

• 10 a.m.: Virginia’s Constitution Traveling Exhibition – from the Library of Virginia at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 12 p.m.: Cobblestone Sour Launch Party at Port City Brewing Company
• 3:30 p.m.: Solar Eclipse Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 5 p.m.: “Every Wine Has A Story” Tasting at Grape + Bean Rosemont
• 7 p.m.: Same But Different Art Exhibit Opening Reception at Del Ray Artisans
• 7:30 p.m.: Bring It On – ACHS Spring Musical at Alexandria City High School

Live Music & Entertainment

• Blackwall Hitch: Ryan Forrester at 9 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar: Mike Richards at 9:30 p.m.
• Fish Market: DJ at 9 p.m. 
• Galactic Panther: NAYAN + The Beanstalk Library + Blood Family Reunion – Live Music at 7:30 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Trio at 7 p.m.
• Lost Boy Cider: First Friday Live Music – Duck Chuck Goose at 7 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin and Tsehay Kassa at 10 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rocky Guttmann and Franklin Music at 9 p.m.
• O’Shaughnessy’s: Moondaddies at 9 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: Average White Band at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Practically Einstein at 9:30 p.m.
• The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at 8 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music at 6 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Sol Roots at 9 p.m.

City of Alexandria

• 10 a.m.: ACRP McCoy Remembrance Planning Meeting

Saturday, April 6

Things To Do

• 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
• 7:30 a.m.: I-ASC Race for Communication at Belle Haven Park
• 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
• 10 a.m.: All Lit Up Like a Japanese Lantern: The Japanese Aesthetic in Frank Lloyd Wright at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House
• 10 a.m.: Virginia’s Constitution Traveling Exhibition – from the Library of Virginia at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 10 a.m.: Pilates at The Brewery at Aslin ALX
• 11 a.m.: Cider & Macaron Pairing at Lost Boy Cider
• 11 a.m.: Learn to Crochet at Made In ALX
• 11 a.m.: Spring Yoga for Kids – with yoga instructor Ms. Shelley at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 12 p.m.: Literary Series: Parker Adams Discusses THE LOCK BOX at Elaine’s Restaurant
• 12 p.m.: City of Alexandria 275th Anniversary Kickoff Event at Waterfront Park
• 2 p.m.: How to plant, propagate, and prune your plants at James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library
• 2 p.m.: Make Your Own Candles at Made in ALX
• 2 p.m.: Board Game Cafe at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library

Live Music & Entertainment

• Blackwall Hitch: Bravenoise at 9 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
• Galactic Panther: Doing Tha Dang Funny Thang – Live Comedy at 8 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 8 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: Negussie Bogale and Nani at 10 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Both Sides at 9 p.m.
• O’Shaughnessy’s: Moran Tripp at 10 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: Average White Band at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: 7 Deadlies at 9:30 p.m.
• The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at 8 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music at 6 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.

City of Alexandria

• 9 a.m.: Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance
• 9 a.m.: Stream Cleanup
• 9:30 a.m.: Common Interest Communities Training Series
• 10 a.m.: Kiddie Cabaret
• 11 a.m.: Armstrong Spring Tech Refresh Event
• 12 p.m.: City of Alexandria 275th Anniversary Kickoff Event

Sunday, April 7

Things To Do

• 9 a.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market
• 10 a.m.: Old Town North Farmers Market 
• 11 a.m.: Make Your Own Jewelry Workshop at Lost Boy Cider
• 12 p.m.: Special Event at Nepenthe Old Town: Christine Mason Miller at Wine Gallery 108
• 1 p.m.: Writers Group at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library
• 1 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
• 1 p.m.: Virginia’s Constitution Traveling Exhibition – from the Library of Virginia at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 2 p.m.: Oddball Cinema – Repo Man at James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library

Live Music & Entertainment

• Blackwall Hitch: Jazz Brunch with Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar: Ian Brost at 5 p.m.
• Galactic Panther: Rise Defy, Some Kind of Nightmare, and Billy Batts and the Made Men at 3 p.m., ESP’s InterGalactic Open Mic at 7:30 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: Music Trivia at 7 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Antonio James at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: An Evening of Smooth Jazz at 8 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: Average White Band at 7:30 pm
• The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at 3 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.

City of Alexandria

• There are no events or public meetings scheduled.

Ryan Belmore is an award-winning news publisher, editor, and journalist. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he resides in Alexandria with his wife and two rescue dogs. He was recently appointed to the City of Alexandria’s Board of Zoning Appeals and previously served on the City’s Commission For The Arts. Follow Ryan on Instagram at whatsupalexandria.

Del Ray’s ski lodge is closing after this Saturday night, and its owner says he’ll be throwing a party like snowbody’s business.

Aspen on the Avenue popup bar owner Bill Blackburn of the Homegrown Restaurant Group says that Saturday night will be the last chance for customers to enjoy delicacies like the ski lemon meringuetini.

“We’re going to spend the next three weeks transforming the popup into its next model,” Blackburn said. “We’re planning to open on May 1.”

The popup is located between HRG’s other Del Ray restaurants, Pork Barrel BBQ and Holy Cow. It was previously The Sushi Bar for eight years before closing at the end of 2021. Since then, the space has changed concepts as a popup every few months.

Blackburn and his partner “Mango” Mike Anderson went to extreme lengths with Aspen on the Avenue, lining the interior walls of the popup with used skis, installing a fake fireplace and two giant backlit photos of idyllic snowy scenes. Anderson also bought a two-seat gondola and parked it outside the restaurant.

Blackburn and Anderson are selling the skis for $25 to $200 per pair.

Blackburn said that the concept for the next popup is tightly under wraps and will be announced in the coming weeks.

After nearly a year of extensive renovation and expansion, Piece Out Del Ray is reopening next month, it’s owner tells ALXnow.

The expansion from 2,700 to 4,600 square feet includes a large, center-focused bar area, a brand new dining room in what was previously a neighboring yoga studio, booths, dart boards and 21-and-up-only shuffleboard. A small area for outdoor seating is still being leveled and rails need to be put in place, but otherwise the restaurant was ready enough to open for a March Madness pop-up event on Wednesday night.

Owner Larry Ponzi wouldn’t disclose how much he spent renovating the space, except to say that it was more than he’d expected.

“We’re just going to work next week on our staffing, post-construction organization, cleaning and finishing our menu development,” Ponzi said. “The following week we should be open.”

Ponzi and his wife Christine opened the pizzeria for delivery and takeout only during the pandemic in 2020. The restaurant became popular, and after distancing and dining restrictions were lifted, Ponzi said that the 2,700-square-foot space got overwhelmed with customers and the delivery option had to be scrapped.

After studio Body Logic moved across the street, Ponzi and the property owner agreed on absorbing the additional space into the restaurant.

“We’re doing our best to keep the feel and vibe of the old Piece Out,” Ponzi said. “We’re just in a space that we really feel is our own. We want to keep all the good things about Piece Out that people love and just make it a little better.”

Chef Johnny Mohl is working on an expanded menu with seasonal specials.

“I’m really excited to be here,” Mohl said. “With this modern layout, the whole restaurant just has this feeling of old and new coming together, which is something that I really love.”

The Ponzi’s PCG Restaurant Group owns St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray and Old Town North, Cafe Pizzaiolo (1623 Fern Street), Market 2 Market (116 E. Del Ray Avenue) and Red Drum Grill and Tap House in Nags Head, North Carolina.

A smoking heating and air system has closed Bugsy’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar at 111 King Street for the foreseeable future, the restaurant owner told ALXnow.

Owner Bartolo Paz said that smoke came out of the furnace this afternoon after it was turned on by restaurant staff, that no one was hurt, and that there is minimal damage.

“They had to cut out some drywall and insulation,” Paz told ALXnow. “Nothing major.”

The Alexandria Fire Department responded to the commercial building fire call for service at around noon, according to dispatch reports.

A favorite sports bar in Old Town, Bugsy’s is named after Bryan Watson, the former defenseman with the Washington Capitals pro hockey team. Watson opened the business in 1983 as Armand’s Pizzeria & Grille with the upstairs bar, The Penalty Box. Watson sold the business to Paz in 2013, and died in 2021.

Paz said that he hopes to reopen the restaurant soon.

The restaurant released the following statement on social media:

Good afternoon,

Unfortunately earlier today we experienced a fire inside our building, everyone is okay but this has caused us to close down for the foreseeable future. We apologize for the inconvenience but we will keep everyone updated as soon as we get the updates ourselves and we look forward to opening back up as soon as possible so we can continue to provide all our customers with exceptional service. Thank you so much for understanding and we hope to see everyone soon.

(Updated 2:25 p.m.) It can be hard to find good vegetarian and vegan-friendly options around Alexandria. After a walk along the waterfront or a stroll through Del Ray, it’s nice to know where you or your friends with plant-based diets can stop in for a meal.

ALXnow has you covered.

There are a couple different ways of ranking Alexandria’s vegan restaurants, but one of the most consistent is from Happy Cow, an app dedicated to helping users find vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.

Ranked by ratings, these are the Happy Cow users’ top choices in Alexandria:

1. PLNT Burger (1700 Duke Street): a regional chain with plant-based burgers. The Alexandria location is in the Whole Foods Market on Duke Street.
2. Spice Kraft Indian Bistro (2607 Mount Vernon Avenue): an Indian restaurant with two locations, one in Arlington and another in Alexandria. Has several vegan and vegetarian options.
3. Hawwi Ethiopian (1125 Queen Street): an Ethiopian restaurant in Old Town with vegan options.
4. Asian Wok Cafe (828 N. Washington Street): a casual Chinese restaurant with a fairly extensive vegetarian and vegan menu, including vegan versions of classic Chinese dishes.
5. Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House (814 N. Fairfax Street): a restaurant in the Montgomery Center focusing on food from southwest China. Enjoy it while it’s in Alexandria, though, because it’s moving to Arlington due to the redevelopment of the Montgomery Center.
6. Caphe Banh Mi (407 Cameron Street): a Vietnamese restaurant in Old Town with vegan options.
7. Lost Dog Cafe (808 N. Henry Street): a pizza and sandwich regional chain with some vegan and vegetarian options, though the selection for vegan/vegetarian options is very limited. Update: Lost Dog Cafe has vegan cheese as a substitute option and all vegetarian sandwiches and pizzas can be made vegan.
8. Mai Thai Restaurant (6 King Street): a Thai restaurant on Alexandria’s waterfront with several vegan options.
9. &pizza (Hoffman Town Center, Bradlee Shopping Center, Potomac Yard): a regional pizza chain with several premade and customizable vegan pizza options.
10. The Peoples Drug (103 N. Alfred Street): a sandwich and cocktail bar in Old Town with vegan options, notably a plant-based meatball sub.

Yelp, meanwhile, ranked Spice Kraft as the number one highest rated vegan-friendly restaurant in Alexandria. Yelp’s Top Ten also included Fetching Goodies, a vegan and gluten-free residential bakery with treats available for purchase online to be picked up on East Windsor Avenue.

ALXnow checked in with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and got some recommendations as well:

PLNT Burger is 100% vegan and located inside a Whole Foods Market. They offer various kinds of burgers, chik’n sandwiches, and a “Save the Bay Fillet”.

The following restaurants aren’t fully vegan, but do offer vegan options:

Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant offers a vegan sampler, which includes chickpea puree, beets and potatoes, and collard greens served with Injera (flatbread) or basmati rice.

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro has several vegan options, such as vegetable korma and bhuna bartha (roasted eggplant) can make other entrees vegan upon request.

Aditi Indian Dining also has several vegan options, including channa masala and gobi Manchurian (cauliflower).

Falafel Inc has a small menu, but offers great options, like a vegan meat shawarma sandwich with red umami cabbage with vegan dressings.

Andy’s Pizza in Old Town has a great vegan pizza called Miller Time made with locally made vegan cheese (vertage brand).

The following are near Alexandria:

Busboys and Poets in Arlington has many vegan options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, like vegan egg wraps, vegan tuna salad, and vegan Bolognese pasta.

Loving Hut in Falls church is 100% vegan with everything from summer rolls with vegan meats to spicy noodle soups.

Chay Restaurant is also in Falls Church and features Vietnamese cuisine where about 80-90% of the menu items are vegan.

Image via Spice Kraft Indian bistro/Facebook