The Houndstooth Gourmet

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: restaurant, Alexandria, a la minute update 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: restaurant, Alexandria, a la minute update by Ramona
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So, a few weeks ago I was walking with Tucker in Old Town Alexandria and I passed by 100 King restaurant. Seemingly ever trying to define their style and niche, the menu had once again changed. 100 King (named for it’s location) opened in 2006, bringing the large corner building back to life after being shuttered for 6 years with the departure of another restaurant- The Alamo.

Inititally featuring Mediteranean inspired fare, 100 King served mezze (small plates like tapas) on the chic first floor, and the cavernous second floor catered to guests who wanted more relaxed dining and entree options. However, changes in the kitchen brought changes in the menu and French cuisine dotted the menu selections. Now, while strolling by, I noted further menu modification-this time, steaks are prominently featured.

And, now I know why. 100 King is becoming 100 Prime; a reflection of the high end beef (and seafood) they will offer. In January, they became one of the area’s first Certified Angus Beef houses.

100 King’s real estate investor and owner, Peter Malios, faced foreclosure on it’s 3.6 million dollar BB&T bank note, on March 6. On behalf of Malios, and 100 King, LLC, Malios filed a bankruptcy petition with the Alexandria Circuit Court with a plan to transfer ownership to Stephen Tedeschi, a principal in New York’s One Group, which owns high end restaurants in New York, and Los Angeles.

Across the street, Franco Landini, of Landini Bros. restaurant is purchasing neighboring The Fish Market. Fish Market owner, Glenda Giovanni, is looking forward to retiring after 32 years in business. Giovanni’s late husband, “Mr. Ray” started in the restaurant business in the early 1970’s, as a chef at then The Gaslight restaurant, now 100 King. Currently, a sizable number of their employees have over 20 years employment with the Giovanni’s. Whether or not there will be any significant changes to the  menu at The Fish Market is speculative at this point.

Tags: Alexandria, a la minute update, Restaurants by Ramona
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Oh those views! You know them. Regan National Airport and the planes taking off and landing,  the Potomac, the Monument and Capital. All from Indigo Landing.

As many of you know, Indigo Landing closed “for the winter” (what? is this the Catskills?) last year. Then, a place to enjoy Low Country cooking, it had it’s supporters (most of the area food critics) and detractors. Now, Indigo Landing, like the proverbial Phoenix, rises again in a new incarnation, under the direction of Executive Chef, Ernesto Pabico.

Indigo Landing will serve all natural beef, chicken and sustainable seafood with Chop House style dishes such as Hickory Roasted Prime Rib, and Filet Mignon, all 100% Red Angus beef raised in the USA. Seafood lovers should rest assured that Indigo Landing’s beloved crab cakes will return to the menu, along with dishes such as Coconut Lobster. Sliders, ever popular, will include Blue Crab Sliders on mini brioche buns with stone- ground mustard mayonaise and Shaker corn relish, and Mediterranean Sliders served on mini pita with Tzatziki spread, with hummus, tomato, basil and daikon sprouts.

The incredibly scenic deck will once again be open, and live jazz will fill the air on Wednesday nights and Sunday brunches.

Indigo Landing
Website
1 Marina Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-0001
Map it

Tags: restaurant, Alexandria, a la minute update by Ramona
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Let’s Meat on the Avenue hung it’s shingle! The new butcher shop is under construction and while I do not know who the new purveyors are, I can tell you that it’s not the Armstrong’s. Chef Armstrong of Restaurant Eve, Majestic, Eammon’s and The PX is planning to open a butcher shop, bread bakery, gourmet shop and wine lounge in Del Ray in 2009, featuring charcuterie wonder, Dan Fisher. Armstrong’s shop will be in a new building, currently under construction.

Tags: butcher shop, Alexandria, a la minute update by Ramona
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