Rosie’s Tavern plans covered patio at Del Ray’s former Thai Peppers

The proposal calls for 49 outdoor seats and patio service until midnight daily.

Rosie’s Tavern at 2018 Mount Vernon Ave. Photo by Debby Critchley.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Rosie’s Tavern could bring outdoor dining to a familiar Del Ray corner. Jay Portlance is asking Alexandria for permission to seat diners along Mount Vernon and East Windsor avenues at the former Thai Peppers, where he’s preparing to open his new restaurant.

The administrative special use permit application calls for 20 seats facing Mount Vernon Avenue and 29 under a covered patio along East Windsor Avenue. The covered patio had yet to be built when Portlance signed the application Oct. 19. The layout also shows six tables for standing guests.

Portlance is seeking outdoor dining hours of 10 a.m. to midnight daily, with alcohol service. The application puts the outdoor dining area at about 1,000 square feet, all on private property. It estimates the restaurant will serve about 200 patrons a day.

Thai Peppers closed its Del Ray location in June after more than 27 years on Mount Vernon Avenue. In The Zebra’s Nov. 2 roundup of upcoming restaurants, Debby Critchley reported that the Rosie’s Tavern storefront had received exterior updates and that a November opening had been discussed. A firm date was still to come.