The Houndstooth Gourmet

As The Houndstooth Gourmet reported earlier, 100 King, located at the corner of King and Union Sts. in Old Town, Alexandria, was looking to shake and stir things up a short while ago. With steaks and seafood prominently featured, a new lunch menu, brunch, and live music in the lounge, 100 King had hopes of improving business by appealing to different ages and palates. Prime aged steaks were prominently featured on the menu, and rumor had it that the name would change to 100 Prime. Apparently, 100 King will not survive to see it’s “prime” and has closed as of last Sunday, according to Don Rockwell member, goldenticket.

As I reported on DC Foodies Weekely Blog Round Up today, it may have been its pricey location, tourist-heavy patronage, or lack of making its mark on the foodie scene near and far that led to the final curtain call for 100 King. Perhaps the more known, accoladed, and talent-laden restaurants and chefs located at the upper end of King St. drew patrons (particulary local foodies) to the likes of Eve, Majestic, Farrah Olivia and Hanks instead. There does seem to be a certain cache associated with the establishments in the shadow of the Masonic Temple, with DC’s Robert Weidmaier (Brasserie Back, Marcels) soon to join their ranks when he will helm a new restaurant and wine bar in a new Kimpton Hotel (The Lorien Hotel & Spa) at 1600 King St in 2009.

In the end, the restaurant business is difficult and fickle. You can be the toast of the town one day, and forgotten the next. It’s a tightrope walk without a net, and takes a great deal of intestinal fortitude to endure. One can only hope that the historic building doesn’t languish for many years as it did before the aesthetically beautiful rejuvenation it received for its most recent incarnation.

Tags: a la minute update, Alexandria, restaurant by Ramona
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 If you have ever been to Alexandria, VA, you will notice that the town is extremely dog friendly. There are doggy bakeries, boutiques and bowls of water everywhere. You want me patronize your store? A place to let my dogs drink water helps a lot! At the farmers markets, dogs are not allowed inside the perimeter, so they gather around. Dozens of them at times. What a great place to sell doggie treats, you think?

Kristina, owner of Barkley Square in Del Ray, saw an opportunity at the Del Ray market that was too good to pass up. While market-goers puruse the stalls for the freshest produce and delicious cheeses, jams and honey, dogs line the sidewalks and grass, and wait patiently for a pinch of bread, or perhaps a bite of a saltena. But what’s really good and good for them are the doggie biscuits and cookies made by Katrina-now being sold at the market, along the sidewalk entrance to the parking lot.

When I chatted with Kristina at last Saturday’s market, she told me that Barkley Square is holding a Doggy Happy Hour on Thursdays, from 6-9 p.m. Wines from Planet Wine next door are offered at reasonable prices, and she is hoping to offer food from Fire Flies restaurant across the street.

This is wonderful news for dog lovers like me. Food, wine, dogs–what’s not to like about that?

Tags: a la minute update, Alexandria, doggy happy hour by Ramona
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Jill Erber, owner of Cheesetique, keeps on making a good thing even better. Cheesetique opened as a unique cheese and gourmet shop, quickly gaining a faithful following for its unbelievable selection and friendly service. This year, Jill moved the shop a mere few doors down Mount Vernon Avenue to expand the size of the shop and add a wine and cheese bar and cafe.

Now, 4 stylish, retro red tables punctuated with white plates and black napkins sit in front of Cheesetique. Imagine sitting outside, under the stars , people watching and sipping a crisp cool white white wine while grazing through a charcuterie plate and a selection of cheeses.

Sounds pretty nice to me.

Tags: a la minute update, Alexandria, restaurant by Ramona
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Finally, the sun broke out yesterday and I forayed into Del Ray and Old Town with my trusty Bichon Frise, Cole. Here’s what I found:

La Strada

As reported earlier on THG, La Strada is a restaurant opening in the old Los Amigos space on Mount Vernon Avenue. Set to open later this month, La Strada will offer Northern Italian cuisine, heavily influenced by Executive Chef Stephen Scott’s grandmother, Nonna Argia.

While growing up, Scott watched his Nonna cook roast beef, meatballs, and tortellini. In fact, I can’t wait to try Nonna’s Bolognese Tortellini in Broth-homemade tortellini filled with chicken, prosciutto, mortadella and Parmesan. La Strada plans to emphasize family in the restaurant. Scott’s parents and two sisters will manage the place,  and they plan to offer affordable, communal- style family meals.

La Strada will seat 60 people inside, where a communal table anchors the front of the restaurant. The communal table space will also serve as the private Wine Room when cordoned off by a curtain. An outdoor patio will seat 15.

A changing, seasonal a la carte menu will offer dishes such as Herb Stuffed Leg of Lamb and Grilled Fish.

After opening, Scott and his family plan to offer cooking classes (I for one want to know how to make Nonna’s tortellini!), wine dinners, a to-go menu, and Nonna’s Sunday Feast.

ACKC Alexandria

In December, I reported on ACKC (in DC) for D.C. Foodies. My first thought was “damn! I wish Artfully Chocolate in Del Ray offered these Dive Hot Chocolates” Well, now we can get these hot, delicious cocoa treats in Del Ray!

If you are unfamiliar with ACKC, it is a joint venture between two Alexandria, VA chocolateries-Artfully Chocolate in Del Ray, and Kingsbury Chocolates in Old Town. Eric Nelson and Rob Kingsbury opened their cocoa bar and cafe in 2007 in the Logan Circle neighborhood in Washington DC.

Artfully Chocolate will become Artfully Chef (where chocolate making and classes will be held) and Kingsbury Chocolates has closed its second floor store on King Street. The new ACKC store on Mount Vernon Avenue will offer all the wonderful chocolates as before, in addition to hot chocolates, frozen drinks and gelato. The space is cozy (and surprise! no red walls) and has about 6 cafe tables.

ACKC Alexandria opens this Saturday!

A Cupcake Store?

In last week’s Ask Tom Wednesday WaPo chat, a chatter asked Tom if he knew anything about a cupcake store planned for the space next to Grape and Bean on S. Royal St. in Old Town.

I am using my best hound skills to track down the veracity of this speculation. The space is completely empty and well, could become just about anything. But, yeah, cupcakes next to Clover-produced coffee would be awesome.

Tags: a la minute update, Alexandria, restaurant by Ramona
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I remember visiting ACKC Cocoa Gallery in Washington DC’s Logan Circle neighborhood last December, shortly after it opened. The collaboration between Eric Nelson’s Artfully Chocolate in Del Ray, and Rob Kingsbury’s Kingsbury Chocolates in Old Town is a combination boutique chocolate shop, cocoa bar, art gallery, and cafe. ACKC’s bold red walls, and jeweled chandeliers brought a lively vibe to the space which somehow meshed with the intimacy of small cafe tables. I was, to be truthful, a bit jealous of DC for having this cocoa bar where genuine hot cocoas are made to order. Diva hot cocoa drinks such as the Lucy (with a bit of spice), and the Charro (with caramel) were made from shaved chocolates. For certain, ACKC’s hot cocoa was far superior to Misha’s (grainy and thin) in Old Town, and just edged out Murky’s (very respectable and solid) in Arlington. I wished it was closer to home.

Well Virginia, there is a Santa Claus because we will be getting an ACKC in Del Ray soon! The new location will be located on Mount Vernon Avenue, in the old Sundae Times space, at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue. While only half the size of the DC location, ACKC Del Ray will not have a cocoa bar, but will be serving up their signature Diva chocolate drinks. Be sure to go to Artfully Chocolate’s website to sign up for updates and chocolate tastings.

La Strada is a new restaurant opening this Spring at 1905 Mount Vernon Avenue, in the old Los Tios  Amigos space. Northern Italian cuisine will be served at communal tables with choices from a fixed-price family-style, or a seasonal a la carte menu. In May, Executive Chef, Stephen Scott, plans to serve Nonna’s Brunch, followed by cooking classes and wine dinners in the summer. A to-go menu will also be available.

Zikrayet, meaning memories in Lebanese, is scheduled to have a Grand Opening on April 26. Joyce Abdallah and her husband, Charbel, plan to launch the swank suburban location, complete with low sofas and hookahs. Along with a variety of vegetarian dishes seasoned with herbs and spices, Zikrayet will feature mezzah, or “slow enjoyment” appetizers.

Zikrayet adds to the growing selection of restaurants in the Eisenhower Valley, and is located at 540 John Carlyle Street in Alexandria.

Next….Zorkafor’s SandVeg. And no, I’m not making that up!

Tags: a la minute update, Alexandria, restaurant by Ramona
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