DINING OUT
BOB TAGERT
Every Day is Valentine’s Day at Our Restaurant Partners! We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight our loyal restaurant advertisers and give you some ideas for your Valentine’s Day dining plans. All of these establishments follow strict pandemic restrictions and protocols. All offer delivery, curbside pickup and take out and most of them have heated outdoor dining. They are doing everything they can to make your experience a good one. We encourage you to do your best to support them. Please let us know about your experience(s) with these fine establishments by posting on our Facebook page @ oldtdowncrier or send us an email at office@oldtowncrier.com.
FISH MARKET RESTAURANT & RAW BAR I have a special place in my heart for the Fish Market Restaurant & Raw Bar as I bartended there in the late 80’s. Back then, Old Town was only about 6 blocks long and most of the restaurants were clustered around 100 King Street and Union Street. Back then, because Old Town was relatively new and gaining traction, Friday and Saturday nights were very busy and it was not uncommon to see lines waiting for entrance on the weekends. The Fish Market is famous for their clam chowder, sandwiches and seafood dinners. Their spiced shrimp is the absolute best. It is a great spot for some of the coldest draft beer in town and they still serve up those signature 32 ounce schooners!
RIVER BEND BISTRO River Bend Bistro is the culmination of owner/chef Caroline Bruder-Ross’ many years working the kitchen of some of Washington’s most notable restaurants. Located in Hollin Hall, this restaurant is classy, casual dining with a seasonal menu. This has become a very popular restaurant for the folks of the Mount Vernon area as well as those of us from Old Town. The menu is basic by design with dishes that you don’t find in many other restaurants. In the past few years Caroline has won the Cherry Challenge for best of Alexandria three times. First time for Entree, second time for appetizer and third time for appetizer and dessert. Plenty of free parking is a bonus at this location. 30 | February 2021
THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL Located in the 200 block of King Street, The Warehouse Bar& Grill is one of the area’s most popular restaurants specializing in prime aged steaks and fresh seafood with a Cajun flair. The dining room is elegant white table cloth dining that features caricatures of the local gentry on the walls of the historic building. The intimate bar is a popular gathering for some of Alexandria’s locals, although that has been curtailed recently because of the pandemic. The backbone of the Warehouse menu is American Creole and Cajun dishes. Enjoy their Steak “Pontchartrain” or their famous lump crab cakes as well as their very popular Sunday brunch.
LANDINI BROTHERS RESTAURANT Landini Brothers is one of the oldest and best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria. They have been with us for over thirty years. Ownership and staff have become part of our family and we have made many good friends there over the last 37 years. Since 1979, Landini’s has been the go-to restaurant in Old Town for a traditional Tuscan style dinner, a corporate party or just to see who might be at the bar on any evening. Owners Franco and Noe Landini have been serving their customers with style and grace for years. Old Town Crier
