restaurant | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published February 28, 2020 at 8:00AM

TV Show for Monte Durham’s New Salon? — “There is a possibility that Durham’s salon will be the premise of a new show. ‘I am very proud to say that I have been tapped on the shoulder by a production company out of L.A. that has signed a contract to do a sizzle reel on the hair salon, hopefully to take that to a network and sell it so we’ll have a show on that,’ Durham announced at a Visit Alexandria meeting last month.” [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria BBQ Restaurant on Local TV — “Tommy McFly visit[ed] Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster in Old Town Alexandria to see what it takes to cook award-winning barbecue.” [NBC 4]

News

Del Ray Restaurant Bon Vivant Suddenly Closes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 26, 2020 at 10:30AM

Bon Vivant Cafe and Farm Market (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Del Ray restaurant Bon Vivant Cafe + Farm Market (2016 Mount Vernon Avenue) announced yesterday that it would close by the end of the day.

The restaurant, which opened six years ago, said on social media and on a sign in the door that the restaurant had faced mounting difficulties over the years:

News

Tacos for Breakfast? Braddock Restaurant Embraces Morning Mexican Cuisine

By Vernon Miles

Published February 21, 2020 at 11:45AM

Breakfast tacos (photo courtesy Chop Shop Taco)

Move over ice cream for breakfast, there’s a new morning cuisine coming to Alexandria.

Chop Shop Taco at 1008 Madison Street in the Braddock neighborhood is launching all-day tacos starting today (Friday).

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published February 21, 2020 at 8:00AM

City Faces Dozens of Lawsuits — “Between 2014 and 2019, 101 lawsuits were filed against the city, and 20 of those cases are still active, according to data the Alexandria Times acquired through the city… Over the last six years, the city has faced 37 claims cases, 20 land-use cases, 15 civil rights cases, 12 employment cases, 11 real estate assessment cases, two FOIA cases, two mandamus cases and two procurement cases.” [Alexandria Times]

Restaurants That Locals Still Miss — “When you talk with locals about restaurants they miss, there’s usually at least one place they can name… We’ve received nearly 40 responses covering Old Town and other areas of the city. Places mentioned by multiple people included Austin Grill, Overwood, Mango Mike’s, Flying Fish and Geranio.” [Patch]

News

New Tysons Sushi Joint to Take Over Arlandria Bar on Saturday

By Vernon Miles

Published February 18, 2020 at 10:30AM

A sushi bar coming to Tysons later this year is making a guest appearance as a pop-up in Arlandria this Saturday.

Roll Bär is scheduled to take over local bar Hops N Shine (3410 Mt Vernon Avenue) from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22. The event will showcase items from the upcoming Roll Bär menu, like hand-rolled sushi.

News

Top 15 Restaurants in Alexandria Where Valentine’s Day Reservations Are Still Available

By Shreeya Aranake

Published February 13, 2020 at 3:35PM

Couple on a date at a restaurant (Photo by René Ranisch on Unsplash)

(Updated at 3:40 p.m.) Procrastinating on your Valentine’s Day reservations? You’re in luck.

Here are the top 15 best-reviewed restaurants in (and within a stone’s throw of) Alexandria, according to OpenTable. As of publication time, each of these eateries still have reservations available between 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.

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

The Italian Place in Old Town is Franchising

By James Cullum

Published February 5, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated February 7, 2020 at 12:28AM

After three years in business, Adriana Penachio-Sifakis is ready for growth, and that means franchising.

At just 700 square feet, her sub shop and market The Italian Place (621 Wythe Street) can get busy fast, but customers don’t wait too long. A new self-serving kiosk in the shop and online ordering have made for a quicker experience, she says, and those who choose to stick around for a few minutes might get carried away by the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra while perusing the market full of gourmet Italian products.

News

New Rooftop Deck Atop Hank’s Pasta Bar Replacement Headed to City for Approval

By Vernon Miles

Published February 4, 2020 at 11:45AM

Proposed rooftop deck at former Hank's Pasta Bar (image via City of Alexandria)

The Italian restaurant replacing Hank’s Pasta Bar (600 Montgomery Street) in Old Town could feature a brand new rooftop deck if it gets approval from the city tomorrow.

The building owners are scheduled to go to the Board of Architectural Review tomorrow (Wednesday) for approval of a full suite of changes, including the new rooftop patio. The new deck is part of a suite of changes planned as the restaurant prepares to reopen sometime this year as Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen, according to Eater.

News

Charlie’s On The Avenue Is Closing This Weekend

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2020 at 4:15PM | Updated January 30, 2020 at 7:06AM

Less than two years after opening its doors in Del Ray, Charlie’s on the Avenue is closing.

Owners Jeremy Barber and Justus Frank told customers that the family-friendly restaurant at 1501 Mount Vernon Ave. will be shutting down after this weekend. The last day will be Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 2).