Spring brings new restaurants.
Mia’s has now opened at 100 King St. Some people think this corner is cursed but if any restaurant can prove them wrong, it’s Alexandria Restaurant Partner’s (ARP) latest offering. ARP has renovated the building and opening the second floor forseating. Check out the artwork and when you reach the second floor, look up. The main floor features a brick oven producing a dozen different pizzas. The upper level features an open kitchen producing homemade pastas and house specialties including Tuscan brick chicken and porchetta.
Also open is Smoking Kow BBQ, 3250 Duke St., former site of Café Monte. This is the brick and mortar version of Dylan Kough’s food truck. The first thing you can’t help but noticing the wall of hickory smoke that hits you when you walk in the door. The restaurant features a small dining area and lots of choices of smoked meats including chopped brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, turkey breast, smoked jalapeno cheddar sausage, chicken wings, and baby back ribs. Once you choose your meat, you can have it served over garlic jalapeno mac ‘n cheese, on a platter, or in a sandwich or taco. smoked jalapeno cheddar sausage, chicken
wings, and baby back ribs. Once you choose your meat, you can have it served over garlic jalapeno mac ‘n cheese, on a platter, or in a sandwich or taco.
You can also by your meats and sides by the pound or in family platters. It’s spring and patios are opening all over town. Cava Mezze, 3525 A Jefferson Davis Hwy, has applied to add a patio to this location. The patio will seat approximately 20 people at lunch and dinner. Café Roma has filed paperwork to open at 1314 King St. Plans include opening for lunch and dinner with offerings of coffee, pastries, and Italian sandwiches. Smashburger closed last year and now a casual Vietnamese restaurant has filed a SUP to take over the space. Located at the corner of South Van Dorn and South Pickett, 662 S. Van Dorn, the space will offer another dining opportunity for local residents of Landmark Gateway.
Mischa’s Coffee House, 102 S Patrick St., is planning to open another location at 6 Prince St. Mischa’s roasts its own beans to create their own special coffee flavors. Also soon to arrive on the scene is Urbano 116 at 116 King St. and brought to you by the owners of Mason Social. The menu is not yet available but the restaurant will feature the tastes of Mexico. Plans are to serve both lunch and dinner with meals under $20. Congratulations to MeggRolls, 107 N Fayette St. and Sunday in Saigon, 682 N St Asaph St. as they celebrate their first anniversary. Here’s to many more successful years to come.
The Carpenter’s Shelter Cookoff was held on April 22. Some of the best restaurants in Alexandria brought their signature dishes to compete for bragging rights. Alexandria Pastry Shop dazzled with two choices, a raspberry marquis with a raspberry sauce and a white chocolate mousse with a vanilla anglaise sauce. The judges thought so too and awarded them first place in the Sweet Division Bittersweet Catering offered short ribs served over polenta and a gazpacho shot with a Parmesan tuille. You’ll need to ask for it the next time you have a catered meal. The Carpenter’s Café served a wonderful roasted tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. They would not reveal the secret ingredient th
at made that sandwich so yummy. The Chart House offered their warm crab dip. Just what you would expect from a restaurant. The Del Ray Café stayed with pizza but offered it in a new format, delicious pepperoni pizza rolls. Dishes of India offered flavorful combination of paneer makhani and murg saag over basmati rice. I wanted to eat more of both but there was still a Bill Blackblot of tasting left.
The Evening Star Café served one of my Art on the Avenue favorites, a mini-muffaletta sandwich. Hard Times Café served their famous vegetarian and Cincinnatichilis to the delight of the crowd. Kiwi Pie Shop wowed everyone with miniature versions of their beef, chicken, and lamb pasties. Their display of sweets was enough to make anyone swoon and the judges award them second place in the Sweet Division. Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap offered up delicious rigatoni a la Bolognaise. As good as that dish was, I was blown away by the mini apple ricotta dumplings. Seconds please. Charlie’s meatball sliders were another favorite from Live Oak. Mason Social knocked my socks off with their guajillo chile braised lamb tostada topped with cojito cheese. The judges awarded them second place in the Savory Division and the People’s Choice Award was also theirs to show off. Misha’s Coffeehouse brought a wonderful selection of coffee to compliment everyone’s tastings.heirs to show off. Misha’s Coffeehouse brought a wonderful selection of coffee to compliment everyone’s tastings.
Bill Blackburn and Elvis brought Kan as City style burnt ends from Pork Barrel BBQ. The judges agreed with Elvis by giving them third place in the Savory Division. RedRocks Neapolitan Bistro offered up a tasty bruschetta and a meatball slider. River Bend Bistro & Wine Bar wowed us with a delicious creamy oyster pot pie. A Del Ray favorite, Stomping Ground, served up a lovely bite of biscuits and gravy. Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee continued their winning streak by taking third place in the Sweet Division and the Kid’s Choice Award with their selection of donut holes. Last but certainly not least was the she-crab soup from the Wharf and Warehouse restaurants. Always wonderful and flavorful, the judges agreed and awarded them first place in the Savory Division. My advice to you is to not miss next year’s event. You’ll be contributing to a great organization while enjoying delicious bites.
Until next time, eat well and enjoy
