Posts Tagged ‘Del Ray’
Seven Things to Know About Del Ray Cafe’s Soft Opening Tonight
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Photo by Stefanie Gans
1. Laurent Janowsky is welcoming Del Ray neighbors and friends to the soft opening tonight of his new, more-casual French restaurant, Del Ray Café. (D’uh.)
2. Janowsky also owns the fancy French Le Bergerie in Old Town.
3. He’s hoping for a slow night to let the kitchen ease in. “I want to be here a long time,” says the veteran restauranter, “and not short term, so I don’t want to srcew up my opening.”
3. Le Bergerie’s Sylvian Tonello will become executive chef of both restaurants and will now be primarly cooking at Del Ray Café.
4. The menu will be sustainable, natural, organic and local, but, says Janowsky, ”with a little bit of poison, meaning that there’s some stuff…that’s too good to pass up.” Expect foie gras and beignets.
5. Starting Monday, Del Ray Cafe will be ready with breakfast at 7 a.m. and will also offer lunch and dinner.
6. Boozers welcome – Jankowsky scored a liquor license.
7. And of course, here’s a peek at the Del Ray Cafe menu
205 East Howell Ave., Alexandria; 703-717-9151.
[tips for the food desk / follow @gansie]
Posted by Eunice / Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Del Ray Pizzeria Attracts Locals, POTUS
By Warren Rojas
The Hero, a briny affair with anchovies, black olives, feta
In the year and a half since it came into existence, Del Ray Pizzeria has evolved from a low-key, neighborhood sports bar into a headline-grabbing political landmark. And the kudos for that epic transformation must be showered upon its uncompromising and unrelenting chef, Eric Reid.
The once-proud proprietor of the now-defunct Del Merei Grille had barely packed away his knives before being snatched up in October 2010 by the struggling DRP brain trust. Reid’s mission: Rescue the gourmet pie- and craft suds-slinging operation from sliding into total obscurity on the heels of a protracted and critically panned opening.
“The owners are good family friends,” Reid explained of the forced retirement about-face that thrust him back into the Del Ray culinary scene shortly after the obligatory shuttering of his cherished DMG.
The mandated fine-tuning at DRP provided Reid with the rare opportunity to both salvage that which he loved most about DMG (well-seasoned staff, carefully developed signature dishes) and shepherd forth an entirely new restaurant concept. And exploit this incredibly redemptive twist of fate to the absolute fullest.
Reid spruced up the dual-themed pizza menu—they specialize in crispy thin crust and spongy deep-dish productions—with more artful ingredients (meaty porcinis, smoked chicken, chipotle-spiked marinara sauce) and imaginative combinations (17 specialty pizzas and counting). He restored various DMG favorites, including: hearty bacon-crab-artichoke dip, zesty jambalaya pasta and mouthwatering “frickles.”
The signature pickle chips—vinegary cukes, battered, deep-fried, sprinkled with cheese and flanked by ultra tangy, house-made remoulade—aren’t for everyone. Then again, only Reid’s longstanding regulars even know they exist.
“I think it’s fun not having the frickles on the menu,” Reid said of the unadvertised house specialty. “It lets us know our people from DMG are here.”
“I’ve Had That” burger, DRP’s ode to the Big Mac
It doesn’t take much to warm up to the place. The interior features an l-shaped, tile-studded bar that serves as the sports watching HQ and chitchat central, while a handful of hightops and glowing fireplace flesh out the adjoining lounge. The main dining room is decked out with a few comfy booths, one long table befitting large groups and a smattering of smaller setups ideal for lovey-dovey date-nighters. Our visits were spent mingling with a mélange of Del Ray’s most faithful, including extended families (inverting high chairs to accommodate car seat-bound infants), exuberant sports fans chasing the dream with a cold one in hand, and single parents splitting well-dressed pies with their cherubic charges.
One hardworking dad in particular—I believe folks refer to him as “President Obama”—swung by while still in the throes of the caustic payroll tax cut extension stand-off with House Republicans, pausing from all the political posturing just long enough to haul away three freshly made pies: the signature Supreme Clientele (built around tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, red onions, olives and mushrooms); a custom sausage, green peppers and onion construct and a traditional pepperoni pizza.
We tore into a number of thin- and thick-crust pies, ultimately coming down in favor of the less dense product. Sales seem to reflect that most people have come to the same conclusion. “Thick is like eating a loaf of bread with sauce and cheese,” Reid readily admits of the inches-tall rounds that are plucked from his deep-dish pans.
Our favorite pies include: the Hero, with red sauce, feta and whole anchovies, the smokin’ hot chick, outfitted with zesty grilled chicken, smoked gouda and chipotle-powered sauce, and the dairy-rich gringo, layered with rich alfredo sauce, melted mozzarella, milky ricotta and salty Parmesan.
Sandwich lovers are well tended to by the I’ve Had That—Reid’s riff on the Big Mac puts Ronald to shame with twin patties of cooked-to-order beef, melted American cheese, breathtaking fried shallots (totally awesome) and tangy 100 Island dressing—and an enviable turkey melt that pairs the tender bird with punchy chipotle mayo and slices of buttery avocado.
Grilled wings were just OK (“They’re the second most favorite after the spicy ones,” one waitress assured us). Pepperoni-laced butcher rolls deserved better accompaniments than bland ranch dressing.
Heartier appetites should keep a lookout for daily specials (the smoked duck scattered about one salad left our tablemates green with envy) and other DMG carryovers (the protein-packed jambalaya is a top seller for a reason).
And Reid’s not done retooling. He recently acquired a dedicated meat grinder and oven for desserts, committing to upping the ante with even boozier monthly beer dinners.
“I’m incorporating new ideas at DRP to continue to challenge myself,” he asserts.
—–
Del Ray Pizzeria
2218 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-549-2999; www.delraypizzeria.com
Hours: Open for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday.
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$).
(February 2012)
Will Artley to “Pop Up” in Del Ray
Posted by Sally Traynham / Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
Last night, Will Artley revealed his most recent plans for his pop-up restaurant in Del Ray on Twitter.
Titled “Project 2312,” the fleeting restaurant will be open from January 30 through February 6 with two seatings per night, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., and some flexibility for walk-ins at the bar. The menu will feature Artley’s past favorites in an a la carte menu format with four to five options each for the cold and hot appetizers and five to six entrée items.
To wash down the delicious fare, the restaurant will also be serving craft cocktails, a limited wine selection and Port City beer.
Why 2312? The name stems from the location of its temporary home, 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue where Pork Barrel BBQ is located. Because of Artley’s behind the scenes consulting work for the restaurateurs behind the hog-inspired restaurant, they are letting him use the space next door for one week only.
Artley, who is known for his work at Evening Star Café will be bringing on board a few familiar faces from his old restaurant in addition some help from DC Central Kitchen students.
Don’t be surprised if you see other chefs in the building. He teases that some of his chef friends may stop by in the kitchen to play for an evening.
Want to speak to the man himself? Book a reservation at 703-596-2312, which he will be personally answering.
Chef Will Artley Unveils His Pop-Up Plans For Del Ray [Eater DC]
Photo from Artley’s FB
[tips for the food desk]
Barackulars: President Obama Eats at Del Ray Pizzeria
Posted by Stefanie Gans / Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
NoVA Magazine alum Warren Rojas sends his old friends at Gut Check a tip:
President Obama spotted today at Del Ray Pizzeria. The Dog Owner-In-Chief then stopped by a pet store to buy a treat for Bo, who has recently gotten press for his staring role in the White House Christmas decorations.
Check out photos of Obama at Potomac Yard Center on DelRayPatch.
Graphic by Bekah Lowe
Evening Star Café Re-Opens TODAY!
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Out of the loop on Evening Star Café?
The 15-year old restaurant in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria has been closed for the past month while undergoing fun and communal renovations. Today, December 8, the restaurant re-opens with a revamped look, new menu and new chef Jim Jeffords.
Doors open to the neighborhood today to reveal a refurbished space — original wooden banquettes still line the walls, but a new center with bold blue, plush benches boost the seating capacity to 60. New lighting and artwork by local artist Rick Singleton brings a retro feel with old junk turned into new art, in particular, an old Erector set that hangs the lights from the original ceiling in the dining room.
If you look around the restaurant, you’ll notice small vintage details from unique light fixtures made out of old metal to the trophy display on the back wall of the Majestic Lounge bar (the trophies were donated by community members and date back to 1901).
A light fixture made out of vintage jars hangs over the Majestic Lounge's bar.
As a matter of fact, everything about the renovation process has involved the community, from old trophy donations to a yard sale to sell the old furnishings from the pre-renovated restaurant, to a cocktail-naming night that will take place a couple weeks after today’s opening.
The Evening Star menu still features classic-meets-modern American comfort food, but with a more Southern tone. The back bar (dubbed “The Majestic Lounge”) now features 30 bottles of craft beer, 19 draft beers — served from 1950s vintage refrigerators — and one cask, which will feature local brews and rotate constantly. The bar will be serving original cocktails, including “The Hipster,” made with mezcal, chipotle peppers and PBR. You can also order any bottle of wine from Planet Wine next door with your meal.
The kitchen gets cookin’ today for dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. — and it sure isn’t going anywhere for a while.
The Evening Star Café is located at 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (703-549-5051). Visit www.eveningstarcafe.net for more information.
-Julia Harbo
Posted by Warren Rojas / Monday, August 29th, 2011
August is historically the steamiest, stickiest, sweatiest month of the year–brilliant move, Founding Fathers, building the nation’s capital on a swamp–in these parts. We’ve tracked down 31 frozen treats (one a day for the rest of this month) to provide you with some temporary, and often insanely delicious, relief.
The place: Buzz – Multiple NoVA locations; www.buzzonslaters.com
The prescription: open-faced oatmeal cookie sandwich with cereal milk ice cream. “It’s supposed to taste like the milk leftover after you eat a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch,” a Buzz worker says of pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac’s whimsical creation. Maybe–if you’re used to having breakfast at Charles Bukowski’s house. The cookie—spot warmed right when you order—is great, delivering mouthful after mouthful of whole grains, golden and traditional raisins plus bonus cinnamon spice. But it’s the boozy cereal milk, which gets a boost from a long pour of bourbon, that had us cleaning our plate and clamoring for more.
Should you (unlike me) happen to NOT be a raging alcoholic. MacIssac’s treat churning prowess extends to virgin flavors (the aptly named “exotic” weaves together ultra tart mango and lusty spice cake; vanilla is plain delicious) as well as seasonal sorbets (raspberry, apricot).
–Warren
————————————————————————————————————————————————
Keep tabs on the month long Freeze Jag trek here.
Alexandria Restaurant Week: 10 Days to Dine for $35
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, August 15th, 2011
‘Tis the season for restaurant weeks, and while the RAMW’s 18th annual D.C. Restaurant Week may be kicking off today, Virginia is not without its own summer week of glorious food. From August 19-28, you can patronize your choice of 62 Virginia restaurants and food establishments that are participating in Alexandria Restaurant Week.
Alexandria Restaurant Week was launched in 2009, and this August marks its second time as a summer event.
Participating establishments are offering one of two choices: either a $35 prix-fixe 3-course dinner or a $35 dinner for two. Looking to feast in a particular neighborhood? Take your pick from the following:
-Old Town/Parker Gray (which boasts by far the most participants, including Bastille, Jackson 20, Railstop Gastropub, and Pizzeria Paradiso)
-Carlyle/Eisenhower Valley (e.g., The Carlyle Club and Jamieson Grille)
-Del Ray/Arlandria (e.g., Cheesetique and La Strada)
-West End (e.g., Tempo Restaurant, Mango Mike’s)
or
-Regional restaurants (e.g., Finn & Porter and the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant)
Many of the Restaurant Week establishments also offer the option of outdoor dining, so let’s hope that the weather remains balmy and mild. Want to see if your favorite Alexandria restaurant is on board? For a full list of participating restaurants, a sneak preview of the menus, and to make reservations, visit VisitAlexandriaVa.com.
-Johnisha M. Levi
Posted by Warren Rojas / Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
August is historically the steamiest, stickiest, sweatiest month of the year–brilliant move, Founding Fathers, building the nation’s capital on a swamp–in these parts. We’ve tracked down 31 frozen treats (one a day for the rest of this month) to provide you with some temporary, and often insanely delicious, relief.
The place: ACKC Cocoa Bar – 2003A Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-635-7917; www.thecocoagallery.com
The prescription: Grace Kelly shake. ACKC co-founder Eric Nelson says they’ve conjured up over a dozen signature “Diva” drink creations–homespun indulgences that can be customized as iced coffees, hot chocolates, milk shakes or frozen desserts–ranging from the fiery “Lucy” (chipotle, cinnamon and chocolate) to the exotic “Lena” (featuring paprika and nutmeg). Nelson remains partial to the “Rita” (integrating chocolate, clove, orange and caramel) but we were smitten by Grace, a sumptuous, slow sipper blending together Gifford’s 72 percent chocolate chunk ice cream, dulcet caramel sauce, stunning flashes of sea salt and fluffy whipped cream. We were able to suction up the most of the ice cream through the straw, but a treasure trove of sunken dark chocolate bits awaits those willing to sweep up with a spoon.
Those looking to embellish their frosty treats even further can avail themselves of ACKC’s free toppings bar, a dessert detailing station crowded with complimentary confections, including: chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, m&m’s, peanuts, walnuts, reese’s pieces, chocolate and rainbow jimmies, chocolate chips, toasted coconut, crushed oreos–”Can’t keep them in the store,” Nelson said of the local favorite–and mini marshmallows. Meanwhile, Nelson mapped out plans to bottle the distinctive Divas in the coming months. “The sauces will be sold in jars and can be used over ice cream or turned into hot chocolate when added to milk and heated,” he said, estimating that the pre-fab flavorings could be on the ACKC and Artfully Gifts & Chocolate shelves by early fall.
–Warren
————————————————————————————————————————————————
Keep tabs on the month long Freeze Jag trek here.
Chew on Carla Hall’s Cookies at This Week’s Artfully Chocolate Tastings
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, July 28th, 2011
This fan's Top Chef favorite, Carla Hall (Image: Courtesy of Alchemy by Carla Hall)
These days Carla Hall’s plate may be full as co-host of ABC’s forthcoming daytime show The Chew, and with various charity events, food festivals, and culinary classes, but she’s still putting the signature love into her food for her hometown. Alchemy by Carla Hall is now intently focused on its COOKIECOLLECTIONS, “petite bites of love.”
I caught up with Carla Hall this past Tuesday at the cookie launch, tasting, and meet-and-greet hosted by D.C.’s Artfully Chocolate (the artist formerly known as ACKC), where it was crystal clear why she was voted Top Chef All-Stars fan favorite. Hall, with a committed team of three in tow and husband Matthew, made time to chat and take photos with all of her adoring fans (as well as to good-humoredly apologize to All My Children devotees). And yes, she did give us a Hootie (both verbally and on the back of a few raffled Alchemy T-shirts)!
Hall’s partnership with Artfully Chocolate bloomed after she met owner Eric Nelson at June’s Taste of Del Ray food festival, where she was presiding as a celebrity judge. “I met Carla and loved her cookies. They fit perfectly with the experience we are trying to create at Artfully Chocolate,” which is a heavenly marriage of chocolate, confections, and art.
So how did Hall decide to trade event catering for cookies? “I enjoy doing one thing and doing it well,” she explained. She was getting burned out from catering, which required her to constantly switch gears to meet the varied needs of her clients. She regularly baked cookies for her clients, and decided to “make it part of her business plan” to launch the cookie line during her recent turn on Top Chef All-Stars. (Remember the surreal Cookie Monster episode? I demand a recount.)
Alchemy's Director of Operations Verlette Simon passing the bite-sized love (Image: Johnisha Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)
Hall’s thumb-nail sized cookies, which come in two collections (six “sweet” flavors and four “savory” flavors plus spiced nuts) are without doubt the smallest I have ever encountered. Their petite size was inspired both by Hall’s habit of grazing (“I don’t want to break off a piece of something, I want to have it all”) and one of her catering pet peeves. She hated finding bits of broken-off food left on platters. “These cookies are too small to break,” she said laughingly.
And when have you ever been able to say that you ate 20 cookies in a sitting without batting an eye?
If pressed to choose between her bite-sized babies, Hall says her current favorites are the Sweet Collection’s Pecan Shortbread with Vanilla Salt and both the Savory Collection’s Cheddar Pecan and Parmesan Shortbread.
While I did not sample all the varieties that night, my personal favorite was the Cheddar Pecan. Combine sharp cheddar with the characteristic crumble of shortbread (I taste both the love and butter—I actually think they are synonymous sometimes) and a pick-me-up of cayenne. Never thought you’d consider cookies as an accompaniment to chili? Move over cornbread, you’ve been dismissed! Hall also recommends using some of the savory selections as salad crouton substitutes.
Cheddar Pecan Cookies (Image: Johnisha Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)
If you missed the D.C. cookie launch but are hankering to try Carla’s cookies, Old Town’s Artfully Gifts & Chocolate is hosting a free tasting this Friday, July 29 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. RSVP to info@ArtfullyGifts.com. In addition to the Old Town and D.C. locations, Alchemy by Carl Hall’s COOKIECOLLECTIONS is available at Artfully Chocolate’s Del Ray location (starting July 29), Wagshal’s Delicatessen, and online. Look for the cookies to land in three area Whole Foods soon.
Artfully Gifts & Chocolate
506 John Carlyle St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 575-8686
-Johnisha M. Levi
Get your “small town vibe” from the Del Ray Music Festival
Posted by clara / Friday, June 24th, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Celebrate the rich diversity and talent of our community at the Fifth Annual Del Ray Music Festival on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Scheduled from 10am to 10pm on the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Fields at 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, the Del Ray Music Festival will include music, food, games, and a chance to ring in the summer with friends and neighbors, no admission fee required.
Family Friendly Alert! From 11am to 5pm there will be kids games, a moon bounce and craft activities. And if you don’t want the hassle of packing a sack lunch for the family, Evening Star Cafe, Pork Barrel BBQ, and Taqueria Poblano will be there dishing up a variety of grilled American and Mexican treats.
Dave Dodd, front man for the local band Elroy Jenkins, performing at 7pm, put it this way:
“When you look out into the crowd and see friends and neighbors, it reminds me that, even though we live just outside of a big city, the small town vibe is still alive and well here in Del Ray.”
The festival will feature a variety of music including jazz, blues, folk, country, Celtic, Reggae and rock. Returning favorites from last year Jonny Grave and the Justin Trawick Group will perform at 2 and 3pm. The complete schedule is available online.
For more information, visit www.delraymusicfestival.com.
–Clara Ritger
