Alexandria locals looking for awesome Chinese food have been raving about Hunan Manor for years. This is a neighborhood favorite that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but generations have been getting take-out dishes there and the quality has remained high that whole time. The ambience here is nothing special, but it’s the food that keeps people coming back. Some of the most popular dishes include the crab Rangoon, fried to perfection and filled with gooey cheese, as well as the General Tso’s chicken which is crisp and sweet with just the right hint of heat. The shrimp with lobster sauce are also really good, with much larger seafood than most Chinese restaurants offer up. They also have a bunch of vegetarian options. Prices are reasonable and the kitchen gets your food ready quickly.

Hunan Manor
1305 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 768-6888

www.hunanmanoralexandria.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hunan-manor-alexandria

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/The Culinary Geek

Warehouse Bar & Grill is a go-to spot for fine dining in Alexandria. Located in the heart of Old Town, Warehouse specializes in prime-aged steaks and fresh seafood prepared with a Louisiana flair.

Kick off your meal with fresh oysters, shrimp and crawfish beignets, or Asian-style ribs with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Or maybe you’re in the mood for a hearty Creole alligator stew or seafood gumbo. For the main event, Warehouse offers meats and seafood dishes. Seafood favorites include the Maine salmon, Southern fried catfish, and the trout Orleans, which comes topped with spicy shrimp and lump crab. For meat lovers, try the filet mignon, perfectly cut and prepared. End on a sweet note with Creole bread pudding or a piece of bourbon pecan pie.

Visit the website for the full menu and to check out the lunch and weekend brunch menu.

Warehouse Bar and Grill
214 King St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 683-6868
www.warehousebarandgrill.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Stu Spivack

Take a step back in time with a visit to the Carlyle House in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Built in the 1700s, this magnificently crafted stone mansion was home to John Carlyle, the founder of Alexandria.

Take a tour to see the mansion come to life. Docents and actors lead you through the home portraying scenes from its’ history, from John Carlyle himself to his slaves in the garden and the kitchen. This peek into daily life in the 1700s and 1800s is a real historical eye-opener for many visitors. The tour comes with rave reviews from locals and visitors alike.

A great perk is the affordable price tag for entry, so bring the whole family. Children under 5 visit free, ages 6-12 are $3, and over 13 is just $5. If you’re a history buff and think you’ll be visiting more than once, consider purchasing a membership, which provides free admission, discounts, and invites to members-only events and exhibits.

Carlyle House
121 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-2997
www.novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Forsaken Fotos