Kimchi House: Korean Cuisine in Alexandria, Virginia

Korean food incorporates many different flavors and textures, but the most immediately recognizable is kimchi, the red pickled cabbage that packs a perfect combination of heat and savoriness. The food at Kimchi House is said to be a perfect introduction to this global cuisine.

Some of the most popular dishes include the spicy shredded beef soup, which is fragrant and packs some real heat, as well as the glass noodles. For lunch, the bibimbap isn’t actually on the menu, but they’ll make you a portion of this excellent hot pot dish if you ask. Kimchi House is also notable for sourcing a number of the vegetables and herbs they use in their dishes from the owner’s garden. In addition, prices are quite reasonable.

Kimchi House
8537 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 780-8286
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kimchi-house-alexandria

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Café Aurora: Tasty Ethiopian Cuisine in Alexandria

If you’re looking for a truly awesome place to grab breakfast in the D.C. area, Café Aurora is widely regarded as one of the top spots. The menu is an invigorating and unique blend of menu items from the Northern African region of Eritrea. The cuisine is somewhat similar to Ethiopian food, but with some differences. They also offer some more traditional dishes.

Some of the best breakfast options include the kitcha fitfit, which is a traditional flatbread chopped into pieces, coated with an irresistible spice mixture and pan-sauteed, then served with yogurt, as well as the fuul, a dish made from fava beans and served with French bread and a variety of vegetables. Prices are extremely reasonable and the service is amazing, with the owner happy to regale you with tales of his homeland and explain more about the exceptional cuisine. Make sure to get a cup of the house special tea with your meal.

Café Aurora
50 S. Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 567-4050
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-aurora-alexandria-2

Killer ESP: Sweet Surprises

Who would have thought that espresso, sorbet and pie would be such a great combination? It all comes together at Killer ESP. Located in Old Town on King Street a few blocks from the park, Killer ESP says it all in the name. Come for the comfortable ambiance, with brick walls, nice tables and friendly counter people.

The espresso drinks are made with beans from Stumptown coffee, so you know it’s good. The sweet and savory pies are baked fresh (try one of the empanadas), so you can always come back for lunch. And the sorbet is made daily on site, with so many different flavors that everyone will find something they like. Sit back and relax, the world can wait while you pamper yourself.

Killer ESP
1012 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 200-3200
http://www.yelp.com/biz/killer-esp-alexandria-2

How to Keep Home Offices Neat and Organized

With so many beautiful photos of inspiring home offices floating around the Internet, you may start to feel a bit insecure about your own humble workspace. Even if you can’t hire your own personal interior designer to re-vamp your office, there are a number of ways to make it more attractive and functional. Here are some tips for organizing a home office.

  1. Make a place for everything. One of the main problems with messy home offices is that the storage space to clutter ratio is off. Incorporate more storage solutions, from a tall shelving unit to a traditional file cabinet, depending on what type of clutter is most prominent in your workspace.
  2. Clear clutter. Throw away any papers or files that you haven’t looked at in years, broken or outdated office supplies, and especially any furniture or other home goods that don’t belong in the office area.
  3. Add wheeled furniture. If you often have tasks that require more surface space than you have, purchase a wheeled cart or filing cabinet that can be tucked away when not in use.
  4. Add shelving. Although many people think of floor space when maximizing storage, it’s usually more beneficial to think of wall space. Most people’s walls are under-utilized, so add some sturdy shelves for storing paper files, office supplies, books and other small items.

10 Ways to Organize Your Home Office by Monday [How Stuff Works]
20 Home Office Organizing Tricks [Real Simple]
10 Steps to a Cleaner Office [Oprah]

Enjoy Southern Fare and Live Entertainment at Evening Star Cafe

Southern cuisine is elevated in Alexandria at the Evening Star Cafe. This casual eatery is the perfect place to relax and enjoy lunch or dinner with friends and family. The food is a reflection of the chef who applies his expertise to every dish. Here, the chicken and waffles receive two thumbs up from regulars, rivaled in popularity by the mac and cheese with jalapeno.

Looking for something even more laid-back? Come with your friends for happy hour at the adjacent Majestic Bar and Lounge and enjoy a craft beer on tap, wine by the glass or bottle, or a craft cocktail while also feasting on some plates to share. (Try the fried chicken sliders!)

Open Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Evening Star also features live music upstairs.

Evening Star Cafe
2000 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-5051
http://www.eveningstarcafe.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/evening-star-cafe-alexandria

Morrison House Blends Classic and Modern Flavors in Alexandria

Morrison House is a Federal-style mansion in Old Town Alexandria, a stunning property that was once featured in Conde Nast Traveler magazine. It contains The Grille, a French/New American restaurant where Chef Brian McPherson appropriately “blends the best of the past with today’s freshest tastes.” One dining area is classically appointed in the manner of Morrison House, while another is styled as a contemporary bistro.

From corned beef hash and shepherd’s pie to steak tartare and vegetable terrine, this is vivid, elegant, and memorable food. A typical entree is champagne poached wild Alaskan halibut with crepes and confit fingerling potatoes in a delicate butter sauce. Lost in the big wine list? The friendly, efficient staff is happy to help.

Check out The Grille's website for menus, reservations, and to learn about special offers.

The Grille
116 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-8000
http://www.thegrillealexandria.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grille-alexandria

Ben Brenman Park: A Military Base Turned Local Park

Despite taking up nearly 60 acres, Alexandrians seem to consider Ben Brenman Park something of a hidden gem. Slightly off the beaten path, this park welcomes mostly families and couples for relaxing afternoons. It's named for Colonel Ben Brenman, a late U.S. Army official who stayed active in Alexandria for more than three decades and played a role in acquiring the acreage for the park. The name is fitting, since Ben Brenman Park sits on the former site of a U.S. Army base.

But you won't see many indicators of its military past at the park. Instead, you'll find picnic benches and a pavilion, walking paths, athletic fields, and a playground. There's also a pond and an amphitheatre, as well as a fenced-in dog park where pooches can run free with new friends.

Ben Brenman Park
4800 Brenman Park Drive
Alexandria, VA 22304
alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12284#brenman
www.yelp.com/biz/ben-brenman-park-alexandria

Four Unique Chicken Noodle Soup Recipes

Even when you don’t have the sniffles, chicken noodle soup is a warm and delicious dish that’s full of nostalgic charm. You love the traditional chicken broth and egg noodles, but there are a variety of other ways to prepare this classic soup. Update your chicken noodle soup recipe to something a bit more sophisticated with these simple and flavorful recipes.

Tyler Florence’s Chicken Noodle Soup [The Food Network]

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup [Country Living]

Sensational Chicken Noodle Soup [Campbell’s Kitchen]

Healthier Chicken Noodle Soup [Fitness.com]

Mount Vernon: George Washington’s Family Estate

George Washington may be best known for the starring role he played in United States history, but at Mount Vernon he played another: homeowner. A family estate built by his father in 1735, what would later become a famed mansion started out as a modest farmhouse with one-and-a-half stories. When George took full ownership of the estate in 1761 (though he'd already been renting the property from his brother's widow), he transformed it into the grandiose home visitors see today.

George personally oversaw the teams that expanded to home to encompass 21 rooms, raised it another story (for a total of two and a half), and added the two-story piazza that overlooks the Potomac. Today, guests can explore the mansion on guided tours that focus on everything from the rarely-seen rooms to the way the Washingtons ate—and where. The grounds themselves are cause for a visit, as is the separate museum that showcases more of the Washington family's life at Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Alexandria, VA 22121
http://www.mountvernon.org/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mount-vernon-alexandria-2

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