You are here: Home / Archives for Alexandria Dining

Villa di Este: Old Town Italian Cuisine

April 17, 2013 by

This popular Italian restaurant located in Alexandria’s Old Town transcends the typical, serving up spectacular fresh pastas, perfectly-cooked meat and seafood, and truly wonderful desserts. Villa di Este has excellent ambience for a business dinner or a date, as the room is quiet and private, making you feel as if you’re alone in the room. The servers and staff are equally impeccable, able to answer any questions you have about the food while managing unique requests with aplomb. Some of the most popular entrees include the linguine frutti de mar, which is made fresh and features tons of perfectly-cooked seafood, as well as the veal ravioli. The wine selection is fairly extensive and the staff can pair with your dishes if you ask. Leave room for desserts, as their tiramisu is well-regarded. Meals can last a long time here, so plan for a nice leisurely meal.

Villa di Este
818 N. St. Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-9477
http://www.yelp.com/biz/villa-di-este-alexandria-2

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Hank’s Oyster Bar: An Alexandria Institution for Seafood

February 20, 2013 by

The proximity of the Atlantic gives Virginia an array of seafood options, and locals love to head down to the oyster bar to down some bivalves. Hank’s is an Alexandria institution that was opened in 2005 by Chef Jamie Leeds, previously of some of New York’s hottest restaurants. Leeds had a vision of offering up “urban beach food,” taking inspiration from the classics and giving them modern twists, and since opening day her menu has been winning raves from picky diners. Some of the best dishes on offer at Hank’s include the unbelievable lobster roll, piled high with buttery, tender claw meat and the macaroni & cheese appetizer, which is amazingly rich and decadent. Of course, the oysters are the reason for the season, and they’re served simply but perfectly, shucked with an expert hand and presented with a variety of accompaniments.

Hank’s Oyster Bar
1026 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-4265
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hanks-oyster-bar-alexandria

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Juliano’s: A Popular Alexandria Pizza Parlor

January 16, 2013 by

If you’re looking for an Italian place that doesn’t worry about making things too fancy, but rather focuses on sizable portions and good prices, Juliano’s will be right up your alley. This workmanlike pizza parlor has earned a positive reputation among locals for serving sizable slices, heaping hoagies, and plentiful plates of pasta with good quality and service. The pies here are a compromise between the traditional New York thin crust and something a little thicker, with a doughy feeling that holds up well underneath cheese and toppings. The typical combinations are available, with regulars recommending the Greek pizza for a change of pace. The pasta dishes are simple but filling, with the baked spaghetti winning raves for being some of the area’s best comfort food. If you crave spicy, the hot wings – available by the dozen or half-dozen – pack a serious kick.

Juliano’s
5950 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22303
(703) 317-3889
http://www.yelp.com/biz/julianos-alexandria

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Pilar’s Restaurant: Mexican Cuisine and More

December 19, 2012 by

When you visit a Latin American restaurant, you’ll sometimes find that many of the dishes come from family recipes, handed down from generation to generation. Pilar’s in Alexandria is no different, and locals rave about the incredible Ecuadorian cuisine and Mexican food that they get here. One of the highlights of its menu is the pupusa, a small corn cake stuffed with delectable melting cheese and topped with a kicky cabbage slaw. Pupusas super affordable and very filling, making them an excellent and inexpensive lunch choice. If you’re coming for dinner, order a margarita – they’re made completely from scratch and some diners claim they’re the best in town. Other menu items that are well worth trying include the exceptional tamales, steamed to perfect consistency and seasoned awesomely, as well as the fried yucca.

Pilar’s Restaurant
2249 Huntington Avene
Alexandria, VA 22303
(703) 317-9295
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pilars-restaurant-alexandria

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Evening Star Cafe: The Stars Come Out At Night

November 21, 2012 by

Tucked into the booming Del Ray neighborhood, the Evening Star Cafe is a great place to settle in for a romantic night or a nice evening with friends. The bar is super cozy and inviting, and locals swear by the consistent and well-informed service. With eclectic comfort food items like the BLT mac and cheese or the almond-crusted fried brie served with crackers and green apples, Evening Star Cafe always keeps things interesting. The wine menu is fantastic (the wine shop is right next door, if you want to get a bottle to take home). Evening Star Cafe prides itself on working with local farmers and seasonal ingredients, and giving back to the community. If you happen by the Evening Star during the summer, make sure to try the cucumber risotto with a lovely lemon creme. It can get a bit noisy on big nights, but that just lends to the charm.

Evening Star Café
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-5051

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Momo Sushi and Café: Fresh Tastes

October 24, 2012 by

A sushi restaurant needs two things to be successful: great fish and great rice. Alexandria’s Momo has both! Their seafood is sourced fresh and wins raves from locals, who love the authentic flavors and wide selection. And the rice, so often considered less important, is just as much a star. With a perfect balance of vinegar and sweetness, the sushi rice at Momo is so good you could eat it on its own. Begin your meal with the miso soup – it’s warm, refreshing, and prepares the palate excellently for the food to come. Momo offers both traditional nigiri and rolls – for nigiri, it’s all quite good, so just order whatever suits your fancy. Some of the more popular rolls include the Spicy Crunch roll, which packs a great amount of heat and texture, as well as the Old Town roll, which is seasoned with Old Bay seasoning for a unique local flavor.

Momo Sushi and Café
212 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 299-9092
http://www.yelp.com/biz/momo-sushi-and-cafe-alexandria

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Hana Tokyo: Sushi Art in Alexandria

September 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Making sushi is an art form, and at Hana Tokyo, artful preparation is all part of the dining experience. Located near Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria's Foxchase Shopping Center, Hana Tokyo presents sushi and hibachi dishes in a warm, casual atmosphere. Have a seat around the hibachi grills and watch your meal prepared by talented and experienced chefs. Pick your protein of steak, chicken, or seafood, and watch the chefs put on a show! Flashing utensils on the hot surface, chefs produce a tasty platter of meat and vegetables. Get a tempura, teriyaki, or noodle dish as an entrée or as part of a “bento box.” Try the sushi bar where all orders of fresh fish and sticky rice is prepared to order. All entrées are served with miso soup.

Hana Tokyo
4603 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 823-3168
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hana-tokyo-alexandria

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

The Butcher’s Block: Choice Cuts in Alexandria

August 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

A sandwich is just a sandwich, some people say, but those people have obviously never eaten at The Butcher’s Block. This Alexandria favorite takes pride in sourcing the best ingredients for its food, whether it be curing meat and making pates in house or importing fine cheeses from all over the world. Throw in freshly-baked baguettes to put these great ingredients on and you have the recipe for a truly transcendent sandwich. Some of the favorites on the menu include the North Carolina style pulled pork with slaw and the house-roasted beef with pepper salad, mayo, locally-grown onions and arugula, but everything is good and flavorful. Lunch combos are just twelve bucks with chips and a beverage, which is quite the deal. There's a great selection of imported Belgian beers that pair awesomely with the sandwiches and charcuterie. The Butcher’s Block also hosts frequent cooking demonstrations and more, making it a real hub for the local culinary community.

The Butcher’s Block
1600 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 894-5253
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-butchers-block-a-market-by-rw-alexandria-2

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Brabo: Classic Belgian Cuisine in Alexandria

July 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Brabo was a hero of Rome, and Alexandria's Brabo Bistro is a trendsetter in classic Belgian cuisine. Located a few blocks away from the King Street Metro station, the Brabo Bistro has become a neighborhood favorite. Relying on locally grown organic cuisine, the comfortable Tasting Room is a great place to try the wood-fired tarts featuring duck confit, butternut squash, or homemade sausage. The signature mussels always get high marks from the regulars, as do the sandwiches (try the roast beef). The vegetable sampler or meat, pate, and cheese plates are perfect for sharing with a tasty Belgian beer or a selection from the wine list. Brabo also has an excellent Butcher Block shop which features freshly baked bread, meats and cheeses, chocolates, and beer. Get a picnic basket complete with sandwiches and other prepared foods or take a meal home!

Brabo Tasting Room
1600 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 894-3440
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brabo-tasting-room-alexandria-2

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,

Le Refuge: A Taste of France in Old Town Alexandria

June 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Picture a little bistro along the streets of Paris, and you'll have an idea of what Le Refuge is like. Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Le Refuge has been owned and operated by the same family for the past 28 years. It specializes in Country French cuisine, featuring only the finest local ingredients. It is the perfect place for a quiet, classic lunch or dinner. The lunch menu features a variety of French favorites. Ask about the three-course lunch which includes soup or salad, entrée, and dessert. If you are seated for dinner, why not start with Le Refuge’s onion soup? There are also the hors d’oeuvres plates for two with delicacies such as homemade pate or duck liver mousse. The entrée choices cover a wide range of dishes, but the owner recommends the frog legs in garlic butter, roasted rack of lamb, and bouillabaisse, a fish stew that always gets high grades.

Le Refuge
127 N. Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-4661
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-refuge-restaurant-alexandria

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: , , ,
«Older Posts