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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/sheva4ever

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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffreyw

With Autumn just arriving, we hope everyone enjoys all of the fun this season has to offer! Happy Fall!