Old Town Alexandria Restaurants?
Mar 24th, 2015, 06:55 AM
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here are a few other spots that I've also seen recommended: Taverna Cretekou, Union Street Public House, Columbia Firehouse, Daniel O'Connell's, The Wharf, La Refuge, Pop's Ice Cream or Casa Rosada Gelato, Southside 815, Landini Brothers. Maybe The Majestic will get their act together before our trip.
Mar 24th, 2015, 09:49 AM
#22
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
volcanogirl, I've been to all the restaurants in your above email except La Refuge and Casa Rosada, which is relatively new. They are okay but IMO not particularly noteworthy. Maybe it's me, maybe I'm picky but I wouldn't go out of my way for any of them except maybe Columbia or Southside, which a friend's picky husband loves and it's their go-to restaurant. Southside, is not in the immediate center of OT but on the south side of town.
Having said that, I'll try to be more specific. For me, the best thing about Taverna Cretekou is their outside dining area. It's basic Greek food and it's okay. I think of Union Street and Daniel O'Connell's as bars, rather than good restaurants.
Upthread I mentioned Virtue Feed and Grain, which I like. I haven't been to Vermillion in a few years but I've always liked the food. If you like oysters, Hank's Oyster Bar is great. If you like Vietnamese, Caphe Banh Mi is great, but it's pretty small. Asian Bistro is good, with a mix of Thai, Vietnamese, and sushi, however, service was bad the last time I was there. Mai Thai is good, or at least it always was but I haven't been there in a few years.
Hunting Creek is a new steakhouse and although I haven't tried it, a friend said it was excellent. Bastille is good if you like French but they moved recently and I don't know if/how the food is now.
Having said that, I'll try to be more specific. For me, the best thing about Taverna Cretekou is their outside dining area. It's basic Greek food and it's okay. I think of Union Street and Daniel O'Connell's as bars, rather than good restaurants.
Upthread I mentioned Virtue Feed and Grain, which I like. I haven't been to Vermillion in a few years but I've always liked the food. If you like oysters, Hank's Oyster Bar is great. If you like Vietnamese, Caphe Banh Mi is great, but it's pretty small. Asian Bistro is good, with a mix of Thai, Vietnamese, and sushi, however, service was bad the last time I was there. Mai Thai is good, or at least it always was but I haven't been there in a few years.
Hunting Creek is a new steakhouse and although I haven't tried it, a friend said it was excellent. Bastille is good if you like French but they moved recently and I don't know if/how the food is now.
Mar 24th, 2015, 10:00 AM
#23
My two cents:
Jackson 20 - I agree it's a good place for lunch or casual dinner. Are you staying at the Monaco?
Taverna Cretekou - been around forever. Reliably good food, pleasant dining room, garden out back.
Columbia Firehouse - good American food, great brick exposed interior.
Daniel O'Connells - don't know it
The Wharf - been around forever. I'm not a fan. I prefer a sister restaurant up the street, The Warehouse. Or another sister restaurant in Del Ray, RT's.
Le Refuge - good choice, french bistro.
Southside 815 - Southern comfort food. Good choice.
Landini Bros. - If this place comes recommended it must have had a revival. I haven't been in years and it was always pretty mediocre.
Jackson 20 - I agree it's a good place for lunch or casual dinner. Are you staying at the Monaco?
Taverna Cretekou - been around forever. Reliably good food, pleasant dining room, garden out back.
Columbia Firehouse - good American food, great brick exposed interior.
Daniel O'Connells - don't know it
The Wharf - been around forever. I'm not a fan. I prefer a sister restaurant up the street, The Warehouse. Or another sister restaurant in Del Ray, RT's.
Le Refuge - good choice, french bistro.
Southside 815 - Southern comfort food. Good choice.
Landini Bros. - If this place comes recommended it must have had a revival. I haven't been in years and it was always pretty mediocre.
Mar 24th, 2015, 10:08 AM
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Friends of ours recommended Southside, but they did say it was a little out of the way. I saw some pics of Columbia Firehouse and thought the architecture looked really intriguing and read good reviews.
I really love the look of Virtue Feed and Grain, and it looks like food my husband would enjoy. Thanks for suggesting it. I'll put it on our list. Brabo Tasting Room looks great too - enough food to keep my husband happy but with fresh innovative ingredients that I like.
We don't really have pub type places where we live, so I was thinking that one might be fun to try. My husband is kind of a meat and potatoes guy. I guess I'd say I'm more into ambiance than he is. Are they kind of tourist traps or just more basic food?
I'm still pouting about The Majestic.
I really love the look of Virtue Feed and Grain, and it looks like food my husband would enjoy. Thanks for suggesting it. I'll put it on our list. Brabo Tasting Room looks great too - enough food to keep my husband happy but with fresh innovative ingredients that I like.
We don't really have pub type places where we live, so I was thinking that one might be fun to try. My husband is kind of a meat and potatoes guy. I guess I'd say I'm more into ambiance than he is. Are they kind of tourist traps or just more basic food?
I'm still pouting about The Majestic.
Mar 24th, 2015, 10:14 AM
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
obx, yes, we're staying at The Monaco. I'll put Jackson 20 on the casual list along with Columbia Firehouse, Virtue Feed and Grain, Brabo Tasting Room, and Southside 815. I also thought Killer ESP looked great for coffees/dessert. I would go for some of the Asian spots, but we have tons of great Vietnames places near us that we go to all the time, so I think I like the other places that you guys suggested. Thanks again for all the help. I appreciate it so much.
Mar 24th, 2015, 12:27 PM
#27
Friends of ours recommended Southside, but they did say it was a little out of the way.
Maybe a 15-20 minute walk from the Monaco. If it's a nice evening and you walk south along St. Asaph, Pitt, Royal or the other streets parallel to the Potomac River you'll get a good look at Alexandria's mix of 18th, 19th and 20th C. architecture. I think the concierge at the Monaco will help you with this if you're interested.
I'm adding Virtue Feed and Grain to my list. Thanks.
DH and I both love Brabo Tasting Room.
Me too.
Maybe a 15-20 minute walk from the Monaco. If it's a nice evening and you walk south along St. Asaph, Pitt, Royal or the other streets parallel to the Potomac River you'll get a good look at Alexandria's mix of 18th, 19th and 20th C. architecture. I think the concierge at the Monaco will help you with this if you're interested.
I'm adding Virtue Feed and Grain to my list. Thanks.
DH and I both love Brabo Tasting Room.
Me too.
Mar 24th, 2015, 06:53 PM
#29
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I live 20 min. from Old Town and we dine there about twice a month for dinner.
We like Jackson 20 very much. Very reliably good food and drinks and always good service. Usually the manager on duty comes by our table to check and be sure everything is good.
We love Le Refuge for French bistro food, but the space is small and intimate. bordering on cramped for Old own-- think tight Manhattan restaurant with banquette seating and a few stand alone tables. But food is always good and its like a little French country place.
Le Bergerie is much more stuffy. Leather tufted booths, chandeliers, heavy drapes, more upscale and more expensive. ok food but not our kind of place.
for a good glass of vino and apps to go with wine, and a fun place to meet locals, try Grape and Bean. A few long high bar tables where you are seated right next to others. very fun on a Sat. or Sun. afternoon.
O'Connell's is not just a bar, although the big dark wood bar there is legendary, and was brought in from Ireland. They serve wonderful Irish food, it's very good, esp. for brunch. We have had many good dinners there also.
Union St. Pub is a lot of fun too, great big bar, great place to chat with and meet people, and solid food. The oyster stew there is amazing.
There is a small outdoor café set up on the marina in back of the Torpedo Factory , where you can people-watch, boat and river watch and have a drink/beer/glass of wine.
Tasca on King St is very fun for their house-made seasonal sangrias and tapas, great for lunch and happy hour in the bar there, great deals on tapas and drinks at that time of day. Last spring and summer they had a Cherry Blossom sangria that kept us going back there for more.
We like Jackson 20 very much. Very reliably good food and drinks and always good service. Usually the manager on duty comes by our table to check and be sure everything is good.
We love Le Refuge for French bistro food, but the space is small and intimate. bordering on cramped for Old own-- think tight Manhattan restaurant with banquette seating and a few stand alone tables. But food is always good and its like a little French country place.
Le Bergerie is much more stuffy. Leather tufted booths, chandeliers, heavy drapes, more upscale and more expensive. ok food but not our kind of place.
for a good glass of vino and apps to go with wine, and a fun place to meet locals, try Grape and Bean. A few long high bar tables where you are seated right next to others. very fun on a Sat. or Sun. afternoon.
O'Connell's is not just a bar, although the big dark wood bar there is legendary, and was brought in from Ireland. They serve wonderful Irish food, it's very good, esp. for brunch. We have had many good dinners there also.
Union St. Pub is a lot of fun too, great big bar, great place to chat with and meet people, and solid food. The oyster stew there is amazing.
There is a small outdoor café set up on the marina in back of the Torpedo Factory , where you can people-watch, boat and river watch and have a drink/beer/glass of wine.
Tasca on King St is very fun for their house-made seasonal sangrias and tapas, great for lunch and happy hour in the bar there, great deals on tapas and drinks at that time of day. Last spring and summer they had a Cherry Blossom sangria that kept us going back there for more.
Mar 25th, 2015, 06:33 AM
#31
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Louisa! Living close to Old Town is fun, right?
Along with Brabo, I hope you got a rec for Brasserie Beck in D.C. If I was to choose between the two, Beck would win hands down. It is our favorite D.C. restaurant, consistently creative and good, excellent service. My closest friend threw a birthday dinner party for me there last Sat. night in one of their two private rooms. I was told I could choose anywhere in D.C. for the dinner, and it took me about 2 minutes to decide on Beck. Somehow, they displayed almost perfection for 25 people in four courses. If they can do that, just think about what they can do for two people. YUM to the enth degree.
Along with Brabo, I hope you got a rec for Brasserie Beck in D.C. If I was to choose between the two, Beck would win hands down. It is our favorite D.C. restaurant, consistently creative and good, excellent service. My closest friend threw a birthday dinner party for me there last Sat. night in one of their two private rooms. I was told I could choose anywhere in D.C. for the dinner, and it took me about 2 minutes to decide on Beck. Somehow, they displayed almost perfection for 25 people in four courses. If they can do that, just think about what they can do for two people. YUM to the enth degree.
Mar 25th, 2015, 09:48 AM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, emd3 and everyone else. This is super helpful. I told my husband I don't have time to go see any sites because I'm just going to be running from restaurant to restaurant - ha! I love sangria too. How is the weather usually in late April? Do you think we would need jackets during the day or evening? I was also curious about walking around Old Town at night - is that pretty safe even late at night - are people usually out and about late in the evenings?
Is this area known for mussels? Seems like almost every restaurant I look at carries them - mmmm. And Belgian food also seems very popular.
Is this area known for mussels? Seems like almost every restaurant I look at carries them - mmmm. And Belgian food also seems very popular.
Mar 25th, 2015, 11:06 AM
#33
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, bring a light jacket or sweater. And umbrella-- April and may can bring some rains. But Old Town has lots of cool places to duck into to get out of the rain. And hat, as it can be very sunny. You have to be prepared for whatever that time of yr.
Old Town is safe for walking in the evenings. And later at night on King St. But late at night I do not venture far off of King St., esp. north of Old Town.
Definitely stop at Tosca and have sangria and a couple tapas in the bar one afternoon if you like sangria! They typically have 8 different sangrias that are all housemade and seasonal, kept behind the bar in big glass 15 gallon jugs. Some have vodka or brandy added for more amp.
Best site in the area is Mount Vernon, south of Old Town-- it is a "do not miss." Give yourself lots of time for exploring there. Otherwise the charm is really in just walking and exploring in Old Town. The walking tours are good.
Old Town is safe for walking in the evenings. And later at night on King St. But late at night I do not venture far off of King St., esp. north of Old Town.
Definitely stop at Tosca and have sangria and a couple tapas in the bar one afternoon if you like sangria! They typically have 8 different sangrias that are all housemade and seasonal, kept behind the bar in big glass 15 gallon jugs. Some have vodka or brandy added for more amp.
Best site in the area is Mount Vernon, south of Old Town-- it is a "do not miss." Give yourself lots of time for exploring there. Otherwise the charm is really in just walking and exploring in Old Town. The walking tours are good.
Mar 25th, 2015, 11:25 AM
#34
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, bring a light jacket or sweater. And umbrella-- April and may can bring some rains. But Old Town has lots of cool places to duck into to get out of the rain. And hat, as it can be very sunny. You have to be prepared for whatever that time of yr.
Old Town is safe for walking in the evenings. And later at night on King St. But late at night I do not venture far off of King St., esp. north of Old Town.
Definitely stop at La TAsca and have sangria and a couple tapas in the bar one afternoon if you like sangria! They typically have 8 different sangrias that are all housemade and seasonal, kept behind the bar in big glass 15 gallon jugs. Some have vodka or brandy added for more amp. The current cranberry pomegranate sangria is to die for.
http://www.latascausa.com/site/locat...wn-alexandria/
Best site in the area is Mount Vernon, south of Old Town-- it is a "do not miss." Give yourself lots of time for exploring there. Otherwise the charm is really in just walking and exploring in Old Town. The walking tours are good.
Old Town is safe for walking in the evenings. And later at night on King St. But late at night I do not venture far off of King St., esp. north of Old Town.
Definitely stop at La TAsca and have sangria and a couple tapas in the bar one afternoon if you like sangria! They typically have 8 different sangrias that are all housemade and seasonal, kept behind the bar in big glass 15 gallon jugs. Some have vodka or brandy added for more amp. The current cranberry pomegranate sangria is to die for.
http://www.latascausa.com/site/locat...wn-alexandria/
Best site in the area is Mount Vernon, south of Old Town-- it is a "do not miss." Give yourself lots of time for exploring there. Otherwise the charm is really in just walking and exploring in Old Town. The walking tours are good.
Mar 25th, 2015, 01:17 PM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
e, yes we have plans to go to Mount Vernon. I'm really looking forward to that. Thanks for the heads up on Brasserie Beck too. If you have time, will you post that on my D.C. restaurant thread? It looks great.
Also just checked out the menu at Vermilion - looks pretty amazing.
Also just checked out the menu at Vermilion - looks pretty amazing.
Apr 13th, 2015, 05:49 AM
#36
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
volcano girl, I'm not sure of your schedule but if you were lucky enough to be here this weekend, you picked a spectacular time.
FWIW, I wanted to provide an update on the Columbia Firehouse. There is a new chef and according to this reviewer, so far the change has not been good, despite the article's title.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...8ff_story.html
FWIW, I wanted to provide an update on the Columbia Firehouse. There is a new chef and according to this reviewer, so far the change has not been good, despite the article's title.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...8ff_story.html
Apr 13th, 2015, 06:44 AM
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 24,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh no, I'm sad to hear that. We haven't taken our trip yet, so I appreciate the heads up. First The Majestic and now this place. I like that the chef worked with Bryan Voltaggio; maybe the review will spur them to take a look at how they can improve. Pretty descriptive review - zombie flesh - ugh. How are the cherry blossoms looking?
Apr 21st, 2015, 05:12 AM
#40
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi volcano girl. Glad you liked Virtue. The restaurant used to Olsson's Books and Records and they retained a lot of the original furnishings and structure. Hope you survived the storm last night! I lost power for the first time in years.
My daughter's wedding was on Saturday and she had her bridal luncheon there on Friday. We also stayed at Hotel Monaco, which was fabulous!
My daughter's wedding was on Saturday and she had her bridal luncheon there on Friday. We also stayed at Hotel Monaco, which was fabulous!
