Restaurant Eve
Set in a converted historic warehouse in Old Town, this restaurant received four stars (the top rating) from the Washington Post, and its Irish chef was rated as one of the Top 50 new chefs by Food and Wine magazine in 2008. The restaurant is divided into two parts: the tasting room and the bistro. The tasting room is devoted to showcasing the chef's "modern American cooking with classical French influences," and the menu there consists of five- or nine-course tasting choices. The bistro is a more traditional eatery. There is also a separate lounge and private party room. In 2009, entrees were priced between $26 and $34.
Restaurant Eve
110 S Pitt St.
Alexandria, Virginia
(850) 702-2747
restauranteve.com
Columbia Firehouse
This American brasserie and bar is inside a building that was an old firehouse dating back to the 1870s. The core of the Firehouse's menu are steaks cut from beef raised on area farms. There is also plenty of shellfish and local seafood favorites like waterman's stew and crab cakes. Dinner entrees in 2009 were priced between $16 and $23, and there's a brunch menu.
Columbia Firehouse
109 S. Saint Asaph St.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 683-1776
columbiafirehouse.com
Laporta's
Laporta's has live jazz in its lounge every evening and (important in Old Town) free parking on evenings and weekends. The menu features a varied selection of pasta, chicken, beef, pork and fish entrees, including locally caught Virginia trout. Entrees in 2009 were priced between $16.50 and $32.50. The restaurant has a good wine list, including selections both from Virginia and around the world, but take care to mind the prices--there was not a single bottle of red priced below $35. There's also a brunch menu.
Laporta's
1600 Duke St.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 683-6313
laportas.net
Geranio
This restaurant sits one block from Old Town's major intersection of King Street and the George Washington Parkway. It's a modern veteran of the Old Town restaurant scene, having opened in 1998 and receiving strong reviews in 1999 and 2000. The menu features pasta dishes and entrees such as fish, roasted chicken and pork chops. It's best described as Italian-influenced rather than strictly Italian--with selections like grilled Atlantic salmon with mashed potatoes and red wine sauce, the menu is neither traditional and authentic Italian nor even Italian-American.
Geranio
722 King St.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 548-0088
geranio.net
Article Written By Edwin Thomas
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
