Changes are coming quickly to Potomac Yards. Cava Grill will be opening a new restaurant with outdoor dining in part of the former Don Pablo’s. Hours will be 10:45 am to 10 pm daily. No opening date has been announced as of yet. Next door to Cava will be another Five Guys. The chain started here in Northern Virginia with store #1 located at Columbia Pike and Glebe Rd. Since the Fayette St. and King St. locations closed, we’ve had to have our Cajun fries fix in Old Town. Opening is planned for the fall. &pizza is also opening at 3525 Jeff Davis Hwy. later this year and will serve their made-to-order, oblong pizzas for dine-in or carry out. With six locations in Northern Virginia, it will be nice to have one here in Alexandria. The company is self-described as “an antiestablishment establishment built on the renown of its creative pies and craft beverages, localized shop design, and the strength, unity and vibe of its living-wage-paid, and &- tattooed Tribe.” They’ve won numerous awards including Washington City Paper People’s Choice Awards including Best Late Night Eats.
5 Guys – one of the best burgers around.
Here’s some great news. Eater DC loves Alexandria. When it comes to cheesesteaks, they named two local sources, Cheesetique, 2411 Mt Vernon Ave. and Al’s Steakhouse, 1504 Mount Vernon Ave. The Cheesetique house version features slices of marinated flank steak, melted Taleggio, and delicious garlic aioli. Al’s has been serving their freshly grilled cheesesteaks for over half a century. Although the shop has been updated since they recovered from their fire, the walls still feature lots of memorabilia from days past. The menu is greatly expanded by Dorothy Breeding since its early days and now includes pizza and breakfast. Take your choice of cheeses and toppings on the griddled meats, sit back, and enjoy.
EaterDC also loves Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co., 109 King St. Founder Ray “Pop” Giovanni started his shop in the 1940s and has catered events at the White House and served first lady Eleanor Roosevelt her favorite ice cream. Their motto, Life’s short, eat dessert first. I have to agree. This shop has been selling his secret recipes since its founding. They also love our new Smoking Kow, 3250 Duke St., and Myron Mixon’s, 220 N. Lee St for BBQ. Both received kudos for the pulled BBQ chicken.
The Kiwi Pie Shop at 4550 Eisenhower Ave. is the new home of Kiwi Kuisine. Whole Foods Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market have featured their offerings in addition to them selling their wares at the Old Town Farmers’ Market. The owners “RAM” Bert Todd and Shannon McGahey live in Old Town and create all their delicious pies and foods. Augie’s Mussel House and Patio, 1106 King St., is opening in the former location of Hunting Creek Steakhouse. Information gleaned from their website says: “Inspired by St. Augustine, the Patron Saint of Brewers, Augie’s Mussel House on the Patio in historic Old Town, Alexandria blends traditional Belgium cuisine with a modern twist. Our creative mussel offerings can be thoughtfully paired with one of our extensive Ale selections. Whether you are enjoying a waffle and frites or one of our many brews on the festive patio, Augie’s has you covered!” Signs are up in the windows and rumor has it that they will be planning a summer pop-up patio. Chef Eric Reid of Del Ray Pizzeria will be heading up the kitchen.
Mischa’s is moving to 917 King St., former site of Radiance MedSpa and just around the corner from their current location. They are also planning to open a second location at the former site of the Olde Town Gemstone. The King St. location will have some 90 seats
inside and an eight-seat patio while the second location will seat 28. Expect the same great selection of coffees and treats. One of our favorites, The Happy Tart, 2307A Mt. Vernon Ave., has been nominated for Best Gluten Free Bakery in the nation. To quote the
contest site, “Thanks to a wave of inventive gluten-free bakeries cooking up flourless desserts and baked good s just as indulgent as their traditional counterparts, gluten-free eaters have plenty of ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.” You can vote once a day for your favorite up to Monday, July 9 at noon at https://www.10best. com/awards/travel/best- gluten-free-bakery/.
Laurent and Margaret Ticer Janowsky said that due to the lawsuit filed by 23 residents several years ago, they no longer have the financial resources necessary to complete their envisioned fine dining restaurant and five room inn at 329 N. Washington St. The fight began when the lease was signed in July 2014. Their plan was to fully restore a four-story Federal-style historic building at 329 N. Washington St. with their French restaurant, La Bergerie, anchoring the building with indoor and outdoor dining, and a five room inn upstairs. The city approved their plans but residents filed suit. In the meantime, their lease at Crilley Warehouse expired and the restaurant closed after 40 years in December 2016. Although very disappointed, he thanked his customers for their support over the last few years. His wife added, “We find it extremely unsettling that a few residents can destroy a reputable 40-year-old local business just by filing a lawsuit, which we believe they had no expectation of winning. We believe it was their intent all along to do just what has because you can still enjoy their delicious French cooking at the Del Ray Cafe.
Until next time, eat well and enjoy.
