The Houndstooth Gourmet

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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In the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, there once lived a cheese maven, named Jill Erber. With thoughts of bringing cheeses from near and far, she transformed a tiny storefront into a mecca for cheese lovers from around the area. Soon, the word of her shop’s cheeses, wines, and gourmet goodies spread and Jill decided it was time for more elbow room. Just a few doors away sat a new space ready for Jill to fill. This weekend, I visited the newly opened Cheesetique and apparently I wasn’t the only one anxious to get a peak into the new digs.If you’ve been to Cheesetique, a familiar feel will comfort you when you walk in the door. The beautiful wooden trough sits in the front window, with its companion counter full of soft cheeses just a step away. Beyond, two large counters sit side by side; one filled with dozens of cheeses, all perfectly and temptingly labeled, and one with meats. Proscuitto, salami, speck, lamb and chicken, oh my!Stainless steal racks, short and tall, are filled with even more high quality olive oils, salts,vinegars, tuna, biscuits and beer. A wall of wines leads is a clever way to display a nice collections of beverage to compliment just about anything she carries. In the back of the store, yet another case holds dairy products such as creme fraiche and mascarpone as well as meats from Neiman Ranch.On my visit, I sampled 2 wonderful cheeses- a Stilton with chives and and Midnight Moon. Delicious. For home, I purchased a 6-month old Farmerhouse Cheddar and a couple mini salami links.Now, what’s behind the the red curtain, you ask? Well, it will be a small cafe and tasting room opening next week-perfect for extending the enjoyment of Jill’s products. I highly recommend signing up for the Cheesetique newsletter so you can keep apprised of what she is carrying, as well as upcoming classes and events.

Cheesetique
http://www.cheesetique.com
2403 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 706-5300
Map

Tags: a la minute update, cheese by Ramona
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Todd Kliman is reporting this morning that celebrated foul-mouthed and immensly entertaining (in a car wreck-I can’t help but look-kind of way) chef Gordon Ramsey is all but certain to take over the kitchen at Maestro in Tyson’s Corner. Ramsey is reported to be working out money issues at this time and plans to put a female protege at Maestro’s helm to execute his menu (a Hell’s Kitchen winner, perhaps?).

Maestro has been dark since last fall when lauded Chef Fabio Trabochi pulled up steaks (and most of his staff) and headed to Gotham City to become the Executive Chef at Fiamma.

I think it’s a good sign that internationally known chefs are choosing to add the Beltway region to their balliwick of restaurants. It has certainly worked out well with Chef Eric Ripert who opened Westend Bistro and Wolfgang Puck who opened The Source.

Just don’t rename Maestro “Hell’s Kitchen”. Please.

What do you think of big name chefs dipping their toes into our dining pool? Good, bad, no difference? Does it make it more difficult for local grass roots restaurants to survive or even come to frution? Does it change the dining culture in DC?

 Let me hear your thoughts in the comments section and take the poll at the top left of the page. The poll will be open through Feb. 5th.

Tags: a la minute update, Virginia, Restaurants by Ramona
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