May this autumn bring you a harvest of fun times and laughter with family and friends!
Chow Down on Fresh Surf and Turf at Fish Market Restaurant
September 27, 2016 by
Located in historic Old Town Alexandria, Fish Market Restaurant combines great food, great drinks, and great company all in one great location. Serving only fresh surf and turf, the Fish Market menu features dishes like hearty clam chowder, lobster bisque, and seafood stew loaded with oysters, cod, shrimp, scallops, salmon and veggies. Local favorites include the oysters and clams on the half shell, the lobster roll, and fried oyster po’boy. If you’re more of a landlubber, try the Southern fried chicken or the classic surf and turf, which tops filet mignon with four ounces of jumbo lump blue crab meat.
The Anchor Bar offers a great selection of rotating craft beer served in a signature 32-ounce Schooner Glass. Enjoy great happy hour deals, balcony and patio seating, and an all-around memorable experience each time you dine at Fish Market Restaurant.
Fish Market Restaurant
105 King St
Alexandria VA 22314
703.836.5676
fishmarketva.com
Super-Simple Fixes for Kitchen Clutter
September 20, 2016 by
Out of every room in your home, the kitchen seems to be the space that gets used the most—and it's also the space that's first to attract clutter! Sound like you? Follow these tips to help maintain order in your busy kitchen.
- Go through your cabinets and donate or toss out the items that are not frequently used. Your main goal is to have only the items that you love and use.
- Create groups or categories for your items. For example, sort all of your baking items together in one section and your cooking items in another.
- Use clear containers to store items and place them inside your cabinets. This keeps everything from being scattered all over the place.
- Place hooks underneath your cabinets to hold mugs or use a stemware rack in the same spot to hold wine glasses. You could also use adhesive hooks inside of your cabinets to hang measuring cups or oven mitts.
- Use rotating trays in your cabinets to hold oils, vinegars, or spices. You can also use them in your refrigerator for beverages.
- Use a small bar cart to store some silverware or your coffee pot and mugs.
Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets [Container Store]
10 Kitchen Organization Hacks To Keep Clutter Contained [The Stir]
10 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen [HGTV]
Hanks Oyster Bar: A Fan Favorite for Fresh Seafood
September 13, 2016 by
Calling all seafood lovers! Hank’s Oyster Bar, helmed by chef Jamie Leed, has been praised by some of the most esteemed food publications, including Gourmet, Bon Appétit, and Food and Wine magazine, for its fresh coastal cuisine. Hank’s is not your average local seafood shop; it’s a Southern experience you’ll want to have time and time again.
Try local favorites like the griddled crabcakes, garlic steamed oysters, the oyster po’boy, and seared sea scallops with cauliflower fondue. There are also delicious options for landlubbers, like the popular lamb and blue cheese burger. Pair your finger-licking seafood fare with a refreshing hand-crafted cocktail, a perfectly paired glass of wine, or a cold beer from the rotating craft list.
Check out the website for the full menu and to see upcoming events like Hank’s on the Hill Oyster Fest, where you can enjoy all-you-can-eat fresh oysters, fried oysters, barbecue oysters, and more!
Hank's Oyster Bar
1026 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-4265
hanksoysterbar.com
Have Belgian Waffles for Dinner at BRABO in Alexandria
September 6, 2016 by
Get a taste of delicious Belgian cuisine in Alexandria at Brabo. With a focus on sustainability, this Alexandria eatery relies on ingredients sourced from local farms, while the kitchen recycles everything possible, right down to the grease—it's made into bio diesel fuel!
You can’t skip Brabo’s signature waffles. Try the smoked salmon waffle for a savory brunch or the peanut butter toffee waffle with your after-dinner coffee. (The roast Icelandic cod and heirloom tomato gazpacho are also popular with many diners.) The staff is sincere, attentive, and dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind experience every time. They are carefully trained to guide your evening with recommendations and appropriate wine pairings.
With hearty comfort food available brunch or dinner, a private outdoor terrace, and a cozy lounge for drinks, Brabo is the place for a special meal with good friends!
BRABO Restaurant
1600 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 894-3440
www.braborestaurant.com
Travel Back to the 18th Century at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
August 23, 2016 by
Travel back in time and celebrate the rich history that Alexandria is known for at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. From political events to social gatherings, Gadsby’s Tavern was a key location in Virginia’s history. This 18th-century gem once housed famous historical figures such as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.
The museum features two buildings: the tavern built in 1785 and the City Hotel, built in 1792. Check out both and immerse yourself in the history, architecture, decorative arts, food and clothing of the 18th century. Family and individual tours are available, along with special events like the Presidential Salon with James Madison, where you can listen to the fourth president of the United States as he talks about the political and personal issues of 1816.
Make a day out of it, and enjoy a traditional meal at the Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant’s colonial dining room, which has provided fine fining since the 1770s.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.746.4242
www.alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern
Balkan Grill: Mediterranean Fare in Alexandria
August 16, 2016 by
Balkan Grill is a small Alexandria restaurant serving authentic Mediterranean dishes, so you can expect lot of grilled beef and freshly baked bread. Try the house-made beef sausages wrapped in a still-warm flatbread, or go for a mildly spiced burger with chilis and herbs on a ciabatta-like house baked bun. Regulars recommend you try a "burek," which is phylo pastry dough stuffed with herbed cheese, fresh baby spinach, spiced potatoes, or any number of other delectable fillings.
Frequent diners report that the staff is especially friendly and patient, particularly if you're new to Balkan Grill and need some suggestions for what to order, so feel free to ask questions and seek advice. The restaurant also does a brisk take-out business, so if you want to savor your meal in the comfort of your own home, just call ahead and they'll have your order waiting when you arrive.
Balkan Grill
5902A North Kings Highway
Alexandria, VA 22303
(703) 329-3303
www.balkangrill.us
www.yelp.com/biz/balkan-grill-alexandria-2
Let Shop Owner Kinde Show You the Ropes at Tennis City
August 9, 2016 by
Loyal customers travel all the way from Washington, D.C. to Tennis City, where they say the owner, Kinde, offers some of the best customer service in the area. A veteran tennis teacher, Kinde is very knowledgeable about the game, and puts the needs of customers first. According to frequent shoppers, you’ll never feel pressured to spend money on equipment you don’t need. If you’re new to the game of tennis, Kinde will help you choose good equipment that won’t destroy your budget.
Prices here are very reasonable, even considering the area, but the real reason to shop at Tennis City is to benefit from the invaluable advice you’ll receive from Kinde, who draws upon his decades of experience with the game in order to help every customer. As your game improves, return to Tennis City to upgrade your equipment. You can have your racquet restrung here, too.
Tennis City
6550 Little River Turnpike
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 256-4040
www.tennis-city.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tennis-city-alexandria
Hunan Manor: Alexandria’s Authentic Chinese Cuisine
August 2, 2016 by
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
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