Swing’s Coffee Roasters: Sip a Latte at This Cafe-Meets-Roaster in Alexandria

Upon entering Swing’s Coffee Roasters, the first thing you'll notice about this small coffee shop and roaster is the earthy aroma of roasting beans. Order your coffee or latte at the wooden coffee bar (and maybe even pick up a pecan tart or fresh-baked muffin), then set up camp at one of the cozy cafe tables to enjoy your coffee with a good book, good conversation, or a few good hours spent catching up on computer work.

As for the decor, exposed pipes and floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space, while glass doors keep the roasting area separate while still inviting visitors to take a peek inside.

Swing’s Coffee Roasters' Alexandria location is open Mondays through Fridays.

Swing’s Coffee Roasters
501 E Monroe Ave
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 370-5050
www.swingscoffee.com
www.facebook.com/Mark1013

Explore 47 Acres of Preserved Wilderness at Dora Kelley Nature Park in Alexandria

At the 47-acre Dora Kelley Nature Park in Alexandria, adventurous locals can get a sense of native wildlife while also escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday living. While this beautiful wooded park is located just minutes from the downtown area, its self-guided nature trails and rocky creek will make you feel like you’re a world away. There are both paved and non-paved trails to accommodate all types of hiking, biking, and walking, so bring your bike for a scenic ride along the well-maintained trails, or embark on an afternoon hike to get a bit of exercise outdoors.

Dora Kelley Nature Park also hosts the Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center, founded in 1978, where local school groups can learn about Alexandria’s local wildlife, including snakes and turtles.

Dora Kelley Nature Park
5750 Sanger Ave
Alexandria, VA 22311
(703) 746-5559
www.yelp.com/biz/dora-kelley-nature-park-alexandria

Embrace Italian Desserts at Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato

If you love Italian pastas and pizzas, you haven’t even experienced all of this delicious cuisine’s decadent offerings. Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato offers a less common taste of Italian dining in the form of authentic gelato, a cold dessert similar to ice cream that is made with a creamier consistency and unique, dense flavors.

This Alexandria dessert shop is hip and relaxed, with chalkboard menus displaying the day’s current flavors and a stainless steel gelato counter imported from Italy for the freshest, most authentic taste possible. The gelato itself comes in flavors like coconut, dulce de leche, merlot and apple cinnamon, and there is also a small selection of sorbettos for dairy-free guests.

If you’re planning a party or ordering for a group, Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato also makes its gelatos in the form of cakes that are even more decadent and delicious.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato
111 S. Payne Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 349-1001
www.crgelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/casa-rosada-artisan-gelato-alexandria-2

Happy Winter!

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

Think Beyond the Salsa With These Cilantro-Centric Recipes

When you think of salsa, you likely think of the zesty flavor added by cilantro. Cilantro is also a great addition to many other dishes, however, even those outside of Mexican cuisine. These three recipes will have you rethinking the way you view cilantro in the most delicious ways possible!

Asian Noodle Salad with Chicken and Cilantro [Martha Stewart]
Instead of the usual Southwestern cuisines, try cilantro in an Asian-cuisine-inspired dish for a change. This noodle salad requires no cooking at all to create a fresh, interesting meal with a traditional Vietnamese sauce. Top it with cucumber and cilantro for a bit of added flavor.

Miso-Maple Sweet Potato Tacos with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce [The Kitchn]
There are so many delicious flavors in this taco dish, your taste buds will hardly know where to begin. Tender sweet potatoes covered in a miso and maple syrup glaze take the place of the usual taco meat, and avocado, cilantro, and toasted pepitas make a tasty garnish. The cilantro comes in at the end, when it’s blended with coconut to create a uniquely flavorful sauce for topping.

Zesty Quinoa Salad [AllRecipes]
If you want to eat healthily without sacrificing taste, you’ll absolutely love this quinoa salad. Fresh vegetables and black beans make it bright and nutritious, while cilantro and black pepper add major flavor.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends! What are you thankful for this year?

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Appeal to Grown-Up Palates at Cheesetique in Alexandria

Part cheese shop, part restaurant, Cheesetique focuses on all things warm, melted, and cheesy. From grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches with pimento cheese and crusty bread to the expansive cheese boards filled with gourmet cheeses and crackers, the menu has something for even the most knowledgeable cheese connoisseur.

In the retail section of Cheesetique, you'll encounter more than 300 different types of globally sourced cheeses behind the glass display cases. A wide selection of charcuterie and accompaniments is also on offer, ranging from duck prosciutto, pâtés, and chorizo to honeys, jams, chocolates, and pickles. Meanwhile, in Cheesetique's restaurant portion, diners chow down on decadent dishes like gourmet macaroni and cheese, creamy tomato soup, and five different variations on the grilled cheese sandwich.

With its charming interior with cozy wooden café tables and an outdoor patio with even more seating, there are few better places to relax with your favorite types of comfort foods than Cheesetique!

Cheesetique
2411 Mount Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 706-5300
www.cheesetique.com

Fat City Kitchen: American Fare With an International Twist

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

Happy Veterans day!

Today is a day to honor the men and women who have bravely fought and continue to fight for our country. Thank you for your service!

Just Like Mom Used to Make: Chicken Pot Pie Recipes

With its light, fluffy exterior and its thick chicken stew inside, chicken pot pie is a classic recipe that will make you feel warmer and cozier with every bite. If you want to adapt this time-honored dish for your own friends or family, here are three great recipes to show you how.

Ina Garten’s Chicken Pot Pie [foodnetwork.com]
You can be sure that the Barefoot Contessa herself will have a few things to add to such a classic dish. Ina Garten’s pot pie gets an elegant makeover with the addition of fresh parsley leaves and chicken bouillon cubes, and serving it in miniature bowls makes it even more chic.

Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie [bettycrocker.com]
If you’ve been dreaming of chicken pot pie but you’re short on time, this six-ingredient recipe is the perfect solution. It uses frozen vegetables, cream of chicken soup, and biscuit mix to make pot pie easier than ever.

The Epicurious Chicken Pot Pie [epicurious.com]
When you have the time to make the crust, chicken, and filling all from scratch, this is the recipe to use. This pot pie is perfect for a dinner party with your foodie friends, as it incorporates complex ingredients like black peppercorns, dry white wine, and dried chanterelle mushrooms along with the usual meat and veggies.

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