restaurant | ALXnow

Nazia Millwala named Alexandria Restaurant Partners president as group shifts leadership roles

Published October 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

Nazia Millwala has been named the new president of Alexandria Restaurant Partners (via Cultivate Hospitality)

After nearly five years in executive leadership with Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Nazia Millwala has been named the company’s president.

Millwala’s ascension is part of a “planned evolution” for the company as ARP partners Dave Nicholas, David Clapp and Scott Shaw are moving away from day-to-day operations, the company announced. In Alexandria, ARP owns Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, Ada’s on the River, Barca Pier and Wine Bar, Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Royal Restaurant. The company also owns Palette 22 in Arlington and a Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Café Tu Tu Tango in Orlando, Fla.

Around Town

Two West End restaurants set to reopen after truck hit power line on Aug. 25

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2026 at 2:45PM

La Casa Restaurant and Hong Kong Express have remained closed since a crash behind the Shoppes at Foxchase caused a power outage on Aug. 25, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Two West End restaurants that were forced to close for more than a month after a delivery truck driver hit a power line behind the Shoppes at Foxchase are reopening on Thursday (Oct. 1).

ALXnow confirmed that La Casa Restaurant (4551 Duke Street) and Hong Kong Express (4545 Duke Street) will reopen with their normal operating hours. No other businesses were affected.

Around Town

First 100 customers to get a year of free coffee at Dunkin’ reopening in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 25, 2026 at 2:45PM

Dunkin’ at 504-D S. Van Dorn Street in Alexandria’s West End (via Google Maps)

The first 100 customers at the recently renovated Dunkin’ in the Van Dorn Station Shopping Center this Saturday (Sept. 26) will get free coffee for a year, the franchise announced.

The 2,000-square-foot doughnut shop at 504-D S. Van Dorn Street closed last month, and just got its interior remodeled and parking lot repaved. The shop will host its grand reopening on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The ribbon cutting will be held at 9:45 a.m. and feature an appearance by Dunkin’s mascot Sprinkles. Free giveaways and samples will also be provided to customers.

News

Potomac Yard restaurant staff recount fighting off attempted robber with grill scraper

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2026 at 9:15AM

Omar’s Pitas & Platters at 3100 Richmond Highway (staff photo by James Cullum)

Staffers at a restaurant in the Potomac Yard area recently fought off a knife-wielding attempted robber and are telling their story.

On the night of Sept. 1, manager Merve McDonald was behind the counter at Omar’s Pitas & Platters (3100 Richmond Highway) and turned his back momentarily when the commotion started.

News

APD: Attempted robbery suspect left blood trail, was found under his mother’s bed

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2026 at 11:45AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Employees at a local business fought off a knife-wielding robber at a restaurant near Potomac Yard on Sept. 1, and the 64-year-old suspect is being held without bond after police found him hiding under his mother’s bed.

Around 11:15 p.m., the suspect allegedly walked into the restaurant in the 3100 block of Richmond Highway holding a large hunting knife. Staff reported that he jumped on the front counter and demanded they open the register. Instead, the three employees threw things at the suspect and injured him with a large grill scraper, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

News

Two restaurants at Shoppes at Foxchase remain closed after Aug. 25 truck fire

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 17, 2026 at 3:01PM

Fire behind the Shoppes at Foxchase in Alexandria’s West End on Aug. 25, 2026 (via AFD/Facebook)

Two restaurants are still temporarily closed and without power since a delivery truck driver hit a power line behind the Shoppes at Foxchase on Tuesday night, Aug. 25.

That’s more than three weeks ago. The fire that destroyed a pickup truck, two dumpsters and fencing has also shuttered La Casa Restaurant (4551 Duke Street) and Hong Kong Express (4545 Duke Street).

Around Town

Rus Uz bids farewell to Alexandria as Hoffman Town Center location closes

By Emily Leayman

Published September 15, 2026 at 9:15AM

Rus Uz

Diners in Alexandria will have to look elsewhere to find the flavors of Uzbekistan and Russia.

Rus Uz closed at Alexandria’s Hoffman Town Center (210 Hoffman Street) on Aug. 31 at the lease end, owner Ismoil Rakhmatullaev told ALXnow. The Uzbek family-owned restaurant’s other locations remain open at 1000 N. Randolph Street #3a in Arlington and 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in D.C.

Around Town

Alexandria’s Bastille Brasserie & Bar celebrates 20 years with exclusive anniversary dinner

By James Cullum

Published September 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

Bastille Brasserie & Bar at 606 N. Fayette Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bon appétit! Bastille Brasserie & Bar (606 N. Fayette Street) is celebrating a milestone this Thursday, Sept. 17.

It’s the French restaurant’s 20th anniversary, and the evening features a one-night-only, $155 per-person four-course dinner with wine pairings. Chefs and owners Christophe and Michelle Poteaux opened the restaurant in 2006, and they’re calling the anniversary celebration “Icons at 20.”

Around Town

How a write-in campaign made Chadwicks the best bar in Alexandria poll winner

By James Cullum

Published August 26, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated August 26, 2026 at 4:51PM

Trae Lamond, owner of Chadwicks at 203 The Strand in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Chadwicks in Old Town recently won a write-in effort to be named the winner in ALXnow’s Best bar in Alexandria poll.

With only 15 spots available, Chadwicks (203 The Strand) wasn’t listed in the poll, which was held July 31 to Aug. 14. Owner Trae Lamond says that what followed was a grassroots effort for customers to cast write-in votes. After duplicate votes were excluded, Chadwicks edged out the competition and won the poll.

Around Town

Regional summer restaurant week draws participation from Alexandria eateries

By Emily Leayman

Published August 24, 2026 at 1:45PM

Outdoor dining at Vermilion (via Vermilion/Instagram)

Even though Alexandria Restaurant Week ended Sunday, diners have another chance to score special menus for a second restaurant week.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week runs from Monday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 30. Participating eateries have a choice of offering $25 or $35-per-person brunch or lunch menus and $40, $55 and $65-per-person dinner menus. Some restaurants may extend specials beyond the weekend.

Around Town

Delivery robot service expanded in Alexandria to Wonder food hall

By Emily Leayman

Published August 18, 2026 at 10:00AM

Serve Robotics has expanded its on-demand robotic delivery service to Alexandria (via Serve Robotics/Instagram)

The deployment of autonomous sidewalk delivery robots is expanding further in Alexandria.

Serve Robotics announced today (Monday) that the Wonder food hall at 3615 Richmond Highway will offer robot deliveries. The New York City-based Wonder, which has been rapidly expanding in the D.C. region and beyond, opened the Potomac Yard location in January.