Hank’s Pasta Bar is now Hank and Mitzi’s Italian Restaurant
Jamie Leeds of JL Restaurant Group is teaming up with Chef Will Artley, formerly of Evening Star, BLT Steak, and Pizzaria Orso
Alexandria, VA – Hank’s Pasta Bar, 600 Montgomery St., closed in October to make space for a new, revamped Italian restaurant. Jamie Leeds is teaming up with Chef Will Artley to helm the kitchen in the remodeled restaurant. Leeds made the announcement of Artley joining the team at the annual Hank’s Fall Harvest dinner at Hank’s Oyster Bar Old Town saying that she was looking forward to be able to collaborate with her longtime friend Artley on this venture. “They say timing is everything and that couldn’t be truer in this case. In introducing pizza, I wanted to get it right and knew that Will, with his talent and experience, would help me do just that,” Leeds says.
Leeds is the force behind the JL Restaurant Group who also own Hank’s Oyster Bar locations across Washington DC and Alexandria. Artley is well known locally as the former chef of Evening Star Cafe, BLT Steak, and Pizzeria Orso. The restaurant is named for Hank, Leed’s father, and Mitzi, her mother. They are hoping to be open by the first week of January 2020.
According to their Facebook page, Leeds said it’s time for the three-year-old restaurant to embrace new beginning. Renovations include new options for guests including an expanded regional, seasonal Italian menu including the homemade pastas that made Hank’s Pasta Bar a local favorite. The menu will include pizzas with the usual classic toppings and some original arrangements including smoked tomato sauce with sausage and peppers or a blue cheese, figs (jam and fresh) and prosciutto offering. There will be shareable antipasti, vegetable dishes, and non-pasta-based dishes including molasses-braised short ribs, lemon-garlic chicken, and a whole fish.
There will be a rooftop bar with seating for as many as 80. The rooftop menu will include prosecco on tap, Italian sodas and cocktails, a lineup of zero-proof drinks and light bites and antipasti to accompany your beverage selections. The second floor will host private bookings, cooking classes, ticketed dinners, and pop-ups. The second and third floors are planned to open in spring 2020.
