Some advice for a first date in Alexandria, VA?
 

I've gotten some really great advice on this site about vacation plans so I thought the fodorites would help me out on this one too! I've lived in Baltimore, MD for 2 years now, but because of a busy schedule I haven't been able to explore Northern Virginia as much as I would like. I just committed to a blind date with a seemingly great guy, and he wants to meet in Alexandria. We have both been to the area before, but I'd really like to find something really awesome for our first date. We're meeting on the weekend in the afternoon and hopefully if all goes well, we could travel outside the area as well. Has anyone been on a really great date in that area? All suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

I really used really alot. Really.

This may be really stale advice, as it has been years since I lived there, but the Torpedo Factory used to be a fun place to browse of an afternoon--it's a large complex of artists' studios on the river. I hope some current locals can tell you if it's still cool, but I would think a stroll like that could help break the ice and give you something to talk about as you walk.
Best of luck to you--I hope it's a good date!

May I suggest you make King Street east of Washington your meeting place.

Walking down King, east, and looking are great ways to break the ice. Yes, do the Torpdeo Factory off King by the River.

Then behind the TF, take a boat sightseeing DC and VA.

When you're hungry, the best restaurant in the area is Blue Point Grill next to Sutton Gourmet on Washington, a few blocks south of King.

What types of food do you like, and how much time will you two be together?

Here's your awesome choice for a fiirst date in Alexandria (911 King St.) - Magestic Cafe. Reservations essential:
http://www.majesticcafe.com/

...sorry, Bardo, but the Majestic simply doesn't live up to its high prices. They are also connstantly advertsiing for cooks - not a good sign. Old Town offers many better restaurants. Juts my opinion, after having tried Majestic twice.

Michelle, here's some advice:

BE CAREFUL!

(There are a lot of wolves in sheep's
clothing.)

Hi!

Alexandria will be great if the weather is nice. You can hit the Torpedo Factory and walk down by the water and people watch. If you want to sit outside, you could hit Pat Troy's or a variety of other places for a drink before dinner. There are so many options on King Street for dinner, depending on the food you like. Some that I like:

Taverna Cretekou - Greek
Las Tapas - Spanish Tapas
Cajun Bangkok - interesting Asian

For after dinner, depending on what you like to do (I don't know how old you are or your interests):

Murphy's Pub is a fun Irish bar with live Irish music on the weekends.

Bullfeathers has a good-sized bar and on weekend nights they have a DJ and a small dance floor - it gets quite crowded.

If you venture out of Old Town, there is Zig's Bar on Duke Street - they have live bands on the weekends that are usually quite good.

Let me know what else I can help with!

Karen

Thanks to pchsmiles, E, bardo and kaudrey for some great suggestions and a much heeded warning from gotribe. Sounds like the Torpedo Factory is a good choice all around. I especially liked the suggestions for pubs and bands by kaudrey, and would love to know more. The only thing I really know about my date is that we share common music interests, so seeing a band would be a great way to keep the conversation going. I knew you guys would come up with some great ideas! Fodorites rule! Thanks again.

Michelle

I hope you two like CHEAP TRICK.

If you haven't heard anything from them besides I Want You To Want Me, Surrender
and Dream Police, give their new CD
"Special One" a try. It's GREAT!!

That's so funny go tribe, I already have tickets to that show. Cake and Cheap Trick at the 9:30, maybe I'll see you there!

Michelle

Michellecur very brave a blind date. I live in Old Town Alex and would love to add to some of the suggestions however I would like to know your interests and age. That might help. I would have to veto one suggestion though, The Blue Point Grill. Good food but I would never suggest it let alone for a first date!!

I once went on a sort of first date (we had corrresponded by email, spoken on the phone and exchanged pic's over a period of a few months before meeting). We lived in different states and neither of us harbored any illusions about relocating or having a long distance relationship but we were both visiting the DC area the same weekend and decided to meet in person.

Spent the afternoon in Alexandria.... in and out of art galleries and antique shops, wandered the Torpedo Factory and browsed the menus posted at various places until we found a mutually appealing spot for dinner. It was a GREAT place to walk and get to know someone. At the least.... you'll see some things of interest and hopefully your date will go as well as mine did! (the woman in question and I remained friends for another year until she met someone special in her own town and became engaged).

Mo
Thanks for the input. We are both in our late 20's, and are interested mostly in just having a very nice time. My date tends to like trendier, stylish places, but I think would feel comfortable just about anywhere the atmosphere is good. Any suggestions would be greatly appreaciated.
Owen
Thanks for sharing your story with me. It gives me a good deal of confidence that we've selected an appropriate spot. Hope our date goes as well as yours. Thanks for the help.

Loved the Torpedo Factory and Old Town Alex.

Is Generous George's waaaaay out on Duke St. still open? If you want a "carbo load", a good place to eat.
Not 1st date material, tho. BIG schooners of ice cold beer, too. ((B))
Wonder how I knew that?

Kal

Way out on Duke Street??? That's really considered close in now - it's not far from Telegraph Road and the whole area is changing. Traffic has become a huge headache with the construction of the Mixing Bowl at springfield (Rt 95 and 395 converging)

We used to love the piano bar down town on King Street at the Fish House.

Michelle, I never heard of the group Cake, but isn't Cheap Trick great?

Their fans are quite a tight army and
are nice, and you sound nice too. I hope your date goes well and that he's good looking, kind, and has a good sense of humor...and anything else you're looking for. Good luck.

CHEAP TRICK RULES!

Want to clarify a few things: Pat Troy's is possibly the worst and tackiest bar on the planet. Generous George's is a great to place to go with your toddlers, or for a beer and pizza after a soccer or softball game. Cajun Bangkok changed its name about a year ago to Lex (food's great).

For food on a first date, I'd go to Santa Fe East. It's about a half-block off King Street, and they have a great little patio. Kind of romantic without being over the top for a first date.

The food at the Majestic is very good, but it's not a place for a date, particularly a first date. All tables for 2 are about 3 inches apart, so it's like you're dining with strangers. Also, the waiters spend then entire time asking you how everything is. You barely have time to eat, and you'll feel like you're being stalked.

My personal favorite for a date after Santa Fe East would be Cafe Marianna, but it's really on the outskirts of Old Town. It's the best restaurant in the OT area, hands down.

Ecco or Bilbo Baggins also are decent choices.

I'll second the reccomendation for Santa Fe East. Good location. Good food. I've taken out-of-town visitors there, and they enjoyed it as well.

Have a great date, and post a follow up so we know how it went!

Sorry it took me so long to post the update. The date actually ended up being quite short, and we decided against dinner when he didn't arrive in town until 10:00p.m. The next day he phoned me and insisted on meeting me in Baltimore after changing plans so suddenly. He was nice, but not a "connection". I did meet some friends there about a week ago though, and got to use my Fodorite knowledge of the area. We ate at the Fish House, walked around a while, and grabbed a brew at Murphy's. They had a great guitar player there that played all of our requests. My friends really wanted to try Bilbo Baggins, being the complete Lord of the Rings nerds, but we ended up staying too late at Murphy's. Can't wait to try out all the other great suggestions soon. Thanks so very much to everyone.

Michelle