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Fat City Kitchen: American Fare With an International Twist

November 17, 2015 by

At Alexandria's Fat City Kitchen, chefs start with American classics and then add a dash of international influences here and there to create their signature style of fusion fare. It's no wonder customers give the food high marks. After all, the same people responsible for the unique cuisine here also head up two other thriving restaurants in town. With their expertise and the know-how of the kitchen team, Fat City Kitchen has earned a sterling reputation among the people of Alexandria.

Kick off your meal with some spicy sausage sliders or mini Baltimore crab cakes, and then move on to a bowl of Boston clam chowder or the soup of the day. You can also dive right into your entree, maybe a fluffy pizza pulled fresh from the stone oven or a juicy 8-ounce burger rubbed with the house's signature blend of spices. Pair a steak or grilled filet of salmon with one of Fat City's top-notch beers or wines.

Fat City Kitchen
330 S. Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 685-9172
www.fatcitykitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fat-city-kitchen-alexandria

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Finger Food Takes on New Meaning at Hawwi Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant

October 27, 2015 by

Regulars at Hawwi Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant will tell you that if you've never tried Ethiopian food, you're missing out. The first item you should become familiar with at this Alexandria restaurant is injera, the ever-present pancake-like bread that traditionally serves as both plate and utensil. In other words, your food is served atop a round of injera, and you eat by ripping off bits of injera and using them to scoop a bit of food up to your mouth.

If you're not sure what to order, try a "sampler" plate for the whole table, which mirrors a traditional Ethiopian dining style in which many different dishes are served on a single large round of injera that everyone at the table shares. Try simmered red lentils cooked in berbere sauce, braised beef with onions and herbs, and pureed chickpeas with tomatoes and green peppers.

Don't worry if you're just not sure what to order. The staff is friendly and happy to explain the menu or offer suggestions, especially for first-time visitors.

Hawwi Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant
1125 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 717-9740
www.yelp.com/biz/hawwi-ethiopian-cafe-and-restaurant-alexandria
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g30226-d6787093-Reviews-Hawwi_Ethiopian_Cafe-Alexandria_Virginia.html

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RT’s Restaurant: Cajun Cuisine in Alexandria, Virginia

October 21, 2015 by

If you’re craving Cajun cuisine, stop in at RT’s Restaurant in Alexandria for some seriously savory food. This place gets rave reviews from diners and press alike. RT’s has been serving up dynamic seafood and other dishes for over 25 years, and regulars praise the tasty food and friendly service.

The menu is very broad, but some favorites that you can’t go wrong with include the she-crab soup, which is rich, decadent, and redolent with crab roe, as well as the shrimp and crawfish beignets – traditional French donuts stuffed with awesome shellfish. The portions are reportedly quite large, so arrive with an appetite or plan to have leftovers to bring back home.

Visit RT's website to learn more about this Alexandria restaurant!

RT’s Restaurant:
3804 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 684-6010
www.rtsrestaurant.net
www.yelp.com/biz/rts-restaurant-alexandria

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Pho Factory: Don’t Miss the Pho Dac Biet

October 7, 2015 by

Americans might not think of soup as an entree, but Vietnamese eaters regularly make broth-based bowls the main event at meals. One of the most iconic types of Asian soup is pho, a typically beef-based eat chock full of fresh meat and veggies. At Pho Factory in Alexandria, guests can gobble up this surprisingly filling Vietnamese soup.

If you aren't sure which version to order, stick with the basics and get the classic pho dac biet. It incorporates virtually every style of beef, including rare steak, beef brisket, flank steak, and tendon. Mixed with rice, bean sprouts, basil, jalapeno, and lime in a flavorful broth, the eclectic meats make for a hearty meal. You can also opt for the seafood pho, which boasts shrimp, calamari, fried fish balls, and imitation crab in lieu of beef. Or take a spoon to the chicken pho instead, known formally as pho ga.

Pho Factory
6237 Little River Turnpike
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 642-0101
www.facebook.com/PhoFactoryVA
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-factory-alexandria

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Mai Thai: Classic Flavors in Old Town

September 9, 2015 by

When it comes to authentic cuisine in Alexandria, Mai Thai might be a top destination. Thai food is hot in both spice and popularity, but at Mai Thai, it's not just about the food. Come in and enjoy the mix of modern and traditional decor, with artwork on the walls and cool chandeliers coming down both floors of the dining area.

You can start off with a trip to the bar and lounge for happy hour, when you can enjoy a variety of specialty cocktails and appetizers. For lunch or dinner, you can always find something tasty from the menu. (Try the drunken noodles or one of the curries.)

Mai Thai is open Mondays through Thursdays, 11:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Mai Thai
6 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-0600
www.maithai.us/oldtown/home.php
www.yelp.com/biz/mai-thai-alexandria

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Reserve 2216: An Ever-Changing Menu of Upscale Southern Comfort Food

August 25, 2015 by

Southern comfort food serves as the foundation of Chef Eric Reid's menu at Reserve 2216, but he's not afraid to take liberties with tradition. His versions of classic dishes put a gourmet twist on childhood favorites, and his team crafts new creations every day. The sample menu online will give you a rough idea of what Chef Eric might be working on today, but the only way to know for sure is to make the trip and check out his chalkboard menu.

It'll likely be filled with apps like wonton nachos topped with tuna, roasted red pepper aioli, and wasabi, as well as Brussels sprouts with peanuts, feta, and a balsamic dressing. When it comes to the main course, Chef Eric often serves his signature hot chicken. Yelp reviewers rave about the dish, a crunchy piece of fried chicken over a cornbread waffle, collard greens, and a pickle. You might also see shrimp and grits, a pork chop with roasted garlic-gorgonzola butter, or grilled culotte on the menu.

Reserve 2216
2216 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-2889
drpreserve.com
www.yelp.com/biz/reserve-2216-alexandria

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Order the Deviled Egg App at Virtue Feed and Grain

August 4, 2015 by

Eating well isn’t a vice when you go to Virtue Feed and Grain in Alexandria. This Old Town bar and restaurant is actually housed in an old feed barn that's been reconditioned by using repurposed materials.The result is a place that blends into the surroundings, but also stands out on its own.

The interior is rustic, with brick and wood walls showing the original construction. The upstairs bar and lounge is cool and comfortable, with nice couches and burlap bag pillows. This makes for a perfect post-work meeting spot with friends, or you could come for lunch and dinner to try some of the classic cuisine. The burgers and entrees are all good, but don’t pass up the deviled egg appetizer.

Virtue Feed and Grain is open every day, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Be sure to come back for the brunch on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Virtue Feed and Grain
106 S. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 970-3669
www.virtuefeedgrain.com
www.yelp.com/biz/virtue-feed-and-grain-alexandria

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Sweet Fire Donna’s: Where It All Starts with Smoke

July 28, 2015 by

The chefs at Sweet Fire Donna's believe that "good barbecue begins in the smoker," so that's where each of their meats begins its journey. Take the popular Kansas City-style brisket burnt ends, for example. This wildly popular entree features cubed brisket that's actually been double-smoked to ensure extra tenderness and flavor. With a signature blend of spices, the brisket tantalizes taste buds. It arrives at your table with any two sides, and they're just as carefully crafted as the main course. Try the fiery mac and cheese, a customer favorite, or the classic creamy cole slaw.

From pulled pork and chicken to Carolina chopped pork and Texas beef sausage, your options for soul food are plenty at Sweet Fire Donna's. Most of them come three basic ways: as a plate, in a sandwich, or with "just the meat." But you can also order them as a salad for a slightly lighter option (albeit, not too much lighter). Try the brisket salad, the pulled pork Cobb, or the creamy smoked chicken salad.

Sweet Fire Donna's
510 John Carlyle Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 312-7960
sweetfiredonnas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-fire-donnas-alexandria

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Rustico: An Alexandria Favorite for Craft Beer and New American Fare

July 21, 2015 by

Beer serves as the backbone of an experience at Rustico, a New American eatery "designed with good times in mind," per the restaurant's website. More than 400 craft brews — one of the largest selections in the area — are in rotation here, which proves Rustico to be a popular destination among beer aficionados.

But beyond Rustico's bustling bar, you're likely to spot families (many with young children) and friends nestled in wooden booths, lingering over wood-fired pizzas, seasonally-influenced salads, and gourmet burgers. In fact, burgers are a real crowd pleaser here, especially The Rustico, which tops a locally-sourced beef patty with aged cheddar and a savory aioli. For dessert, you might sip a Crispin blackberry-pear cider, or sink a fork into a slice of flourless chocolate cake, decorated with a scoop of raspberry sorbet and an equal amount of fluffy chocolate mousse.

Note that Rustico also serves a popular brunch, available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends.

Rustico
827 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA
(703) 224-5051
rusticorestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rustico-alexandria

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Pho Viet Flare: Pho with Flair in Alexandria

June 23, 2015 by

The Vietnamese soup known as pho has been described as the “cheeseburger of Vietnam” – sold primarily at roadside stands, it’s a cheap, satisfying meal that boasts incredible flavors. Many Vietnamese restaurants have opened up in the United States over the last decade, and the cuisine is really gaining a foothold here. Alexandria’s Pho Viet Flare is regarded by diners in the know as one of the best in the northern Virginia region, with locals raving about the high quality and reasonable prices. While the pho is good here, insiders know that the dry vermicelli noodle bowls – called “bun” in Vietnam – are the real stars here. Served with a variety of meat and vegetables, with tofu available for vegetarians – they’re sauced perfectly and served in enormous portions. Their summer rolls with peanut sauce are also quite good, boasting large shrimp and fresh ingredients served with an earthy accompaniment for dipping. Prices are very reasonable and Pho Viet Flare has a bright and welcoming ambiance.

Pho Viet Flare
514 S. Van Dorn Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 370-9279
www.facebook.com/pages/Pho-Viet-Flare-Restaurant/113777368653183
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-viet-flare-alexandria

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