A La Minute Update: New Restaurant Openings In Old Town Alexandria (Continued)
Fontaine Caffe and Creperie (Update: Grand Opening Tuesday, Feb. 5th 2008)
Fontaine brings Old World European crepes to Old Town Alexandria. Separated into a front Blue Room and a rear Gold Room (for desserts and private parties), Fontaine will offer sweet and savory crepes. Other dishes currently on the menu include pate, mussels, a cheese plate, soup du jour and tartlettes.
Among the savory crepes are the Alexandrian, filled with ham, mushroom, thyme and Swiss cheese ($10.95), the Moroccan, filled with spinach and feta cheese, topped with a mint-yogurt sauce ($11.95) and the Parisian with roasted chicken, ratatoullie and brie cheese ($13.95). Beguiling sweet crepes invite with Wild Berry filled with strawberry and lemon creme ($7.95), and The Viennese Waltz with glazed apricots and rich chocolate ice cream, topped with apricot brandy ($7.50).
Starters embrace dishes such as mussels in a white wine sauce ($7.95), chicken liver pate with cornichons, mustard and toast ($8.95), savory Alsacian style mini tartlettes with ham caramelized onion and goat cheese ($7.95) and a soup du jour ($3.95 for a cup and $6.95 for a bowl).
Alluring desserts called finishers include a Grand Marnier creme brulee and warm apple tart with rum ice cream and red wine caramel sauce.
Epicurean Delights with Coffee, Wine and More
Grape + Bean
Wine + Coffee + More
Grape + Bean on South Royal St. appears to be completing construction and is scheduled to open late January 2008. From their webiste:
“Grape + Bean, opening January 2008, is an independent, locally owned business created by long-time Alexandria residents David Gwathmey and Sheera Rosenfeld. Grape + Bean, a specialty beverage and food retail boutique, is located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, steps from Market Square, City Hall, and the newly renovated Hotel Monaco. Grape + Bean will focus on high quality wines, single-origin eco-friendly whole bean coffees, and custom brewed coffee, serving Old Town residents and visitors alike. Grape + Bean will also offer freshly extracted juices, artisanal cheeses, chocolates, and other gourmet items as well as high quality glassware, wine supplies, and coffee brewing equipment to meet your consumption needs.Grape + Bean’s mission is to encourage and expand the appreciation of these products through education, experimentation, and excellent service all in a comfortable, friendly environment. Grape + Bean will have a sophisticated yet comfortable feel to it with its original heart pine floors, exposed brick walls (building is circa 1850) and a welcoming tasting bar where patrons will be encouraged to taste something new (wine, coffee, chocolate, etc.) on each visit.”
A Philadelphia Tradition Comes to Old Town Alexandria
Bookbinders
The Old Original Bookbinders has been a Philadelphia institution since the 1860’s. In 2000, Bookbinder’s opened a second location in Richmond, VA followed by locations in Midloathian and Christianburg, and now Bookbinders is expanding to include a location in Alexandria, VA. Stephen Parry, owner of the existing VA Bookbinder locations, is teaming up with the owners of Union Street Public House and King St. Blues, to open the St. Asaph St. restaurant in the former Portner’s space. Bookbinders Old Town plans to bring a cosmopolitan taste to the traditional steak, seafood and wine menu, while preserving the dark wood and stained glass windows look of the place. Bookbinders opens for dinner only on January 30, 2008.
Fontaine Caffe and Creperie
119 South Royal St. Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 535-8151
Hours of operation:
Tues-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sunday Brunch Service: 9am-3pm
Grape + Bean
118 South Royal St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Bookbinders
109 S. Asaph St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Hours of operation;
Mon-Thurs: 5pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-11pm
Sun: 4pm-9pm
Lounge: Open daily at 4:30pm
[…] their bistro chairs, chatting intimitely while sipping coffee from cafe cups. As I mentioned in a previous post, the menu is filled food that would transport anyone to a sidewalk cafe in Paris, and I planned to […]