Around Town

Foodies will have the chance to try new eateries or return to old favorites during the next Alexandria Restaurant Week in August.

Alexandria Restaurant Week, held twice a year in January and August, will be held over 10 days from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 23. Full-service restaurants will serve prix fixe dinner menus at $35, $45 or $55 per person, and fast casual restaurants will have their own offers.


Around Town

The Fish Market, a fixture on lower King Street in Old Town, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Thursday (July 23).

The one-night-only party starts at 5 p.m. with live music, a throwback menu and 32-ounce beer schooners.


News

A new sandwich and wine shop is opening Sunday (July 19) at the Bradlee Shopping Center.

Chord Bread & Bottle will soft launch with complimentary appetizers and wine tastings from 6-8 p.m., right after the end of the World Cup final. The space at 3690 J King Street was previously home to the Unwined wine shop, which closed at the end of 2024. The soft opening was announced on Instagram.


News

As the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership is working to launch a business accelerator for tech companies, another for food businesses is on the horizon.

AEDP is partnering with the MOVE Chamber for minority business leaders on the new Alexandria Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program for entrepreneurs looking to start a restaurant, food truck, bakery, catering company or packaged food brand. It will run Aug. 5 to Sept. 9 from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesdays.


Around Town

Several Alexandria restaurants will celebrate the spirit of the French Revolution with special Bastille Day events.

Bastille Brasserie & Bar (606 N. Fayette Street) never passes up the chance to have a big celebration for its namesake holiday.


Around Town

Two restaurants with Alexandria ties have earned RAMMY awards from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

Winners of the 44th Annual RAMMYs Awards were announced yesterday (Monday) at a gala at The Wharf’s Arena Stage in D.C. The 20 categories of the RAMMYS recognize the D.C. region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.


News

Over 1,100 bills made it out of the latest General Assembly session, and many will take effect Wednesday (July 1).

As Democrats gained a trifecta with the election of Gov. Abigail Spanberger and control of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, legislators’ bills focused on priorities like immigration enforcement, gun control, housing and tenant protections, reproductive rights and more. Democrats also passed Virginia’s first-ever paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and child care assistance programs for workers.


Around Town

Eight months after opening on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar will hold a ribbon cutting today (Thursday).

The Asian fusion restaurant serving Japanese sushi and Thai street food, the restaurant at 1909 Mount Vernon Avenue had a soft opening last October. The ribbon cutting will be held at 4 p.m. and will be attended by business leaders from the Del Ray Business Association.


Around Town

Just in time for summer, Del Ray burger joint Holy Cow gave away a milkshake concoction earlier this month to customers who could catch a water balloon thrown from the roof of the business.

Restaurant staff recently channeled their inner David Letterman as a way to promote their monthly cereal-based milkshake series. This month’s milkshake is the Golden Graham, made of Golden Grahams cereal with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and mini marshmallows.


News

As it prepares to open later this month, Little Birdie in Del Ray wants to add more outside seating.

Restaurant owners Matt Sloan and Eric Brannon are asking the city for permission to install 16 additional outdoor seats in an unused alley, adding to the 10 seats already approved. In March, the city approved the change in ownership at the venue. 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

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro‘s butter chicken pot pie and avocado bhel chaat won both the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray on Sunday (June 7).

Under a hot sun, 17 local restaurants competed at the sold-out event in the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields. This year’s celebrity judge was Todd O’Leary, CEO of Visit Alexandria.


View More Stories