Old town Alexandria, Virginia anywhere good for lunch??

[ChowPup]

I posted yesterday and got NO replies--is Old Town a bust these days? It has been a while since I have been there as I travel quite a bit. Please HELP somone? I ma hosting a party there on Dec 2. I could try an old favorite--but I had hoped some one here could help me.

thanks!
The Pup

[BrianD]

Well, if cost is no consideration, Restaurant Eve is open for lunch. I'm also a big fan of A La Lucia on the north side of Old Town, on Madison Street. There's also, Vermillion and Majestic Cafe on King Street.

[sweth]

The Thai place across from Torpedo Factory is 219 Thai (at 219 King St), and in my experience it's pretty mediocre, as is Thai Old Town two blocks up King St at Fairfax; Masaya on King @ Henry is better, and the new Thai Royal St at Montgomery & Royal seemed passable the one time I've been there, but to be honest I haven't found any really great Thai in Old Town.

[theoneontheleft]

219 isn't really across from the Torpedo Factory -- it's up King a couple of blocks. Perhaps Mai Thai is the one you're thinking of. We've enjoyed our meals there: Not spectacular, but definitely acceptable, with great views of the Potomac. http://www.maithai.us/virginia/virgin...

[milocat]

Old Town is mobbed on the Saturday of the Scottish Walk so be prepared that many restaurants may have waiting times or be packed for lunch because the parade ends right around lunch! It's lovely and festive but best to know.

That said some of my favories are Bistrot LaFayette, a French restaurant on upper King Street (great mussels and fries) and the British Connection Tea Room on Royal Street, very close to King Street and Market Square (Full tea or scones and devon cream). King Street Blues has an ecclectic menu (burgers, barbeque and po boy sandwiches). A good place for casual dress. If you like Thai food, I have had good pad tai at a relatively new place whose name escapes me right at the foot of King Street across from the Torpedo Factory. 100 King Street is fun, sort of a mediterrean tapas place, right at King and Union Streets near the river.

[sweth]

Stardust is seconded as a recommendation; Southside 815 at the south end of Alexandria might also be a good choice--good Southern comfort food. If expense really isn't a concern, Eve is good, as is Vermillion. Eamonn's (the chipper that schoenick suggested) is probably a lot more downscale than you're looking for.

HTH,

Sweth.

[ChowPup]

Hi!

We are going to attend the Scottish Christmas Walk on Dec 2 and so we want a fun sit down lunch--expense not a real consideration--just a fun group who enjoys each other's company and looking for a day of fun with great food ad memories to take home. We will be dressed warmly and casually.

Thanks for all replies,
The Pup

[camstone]

Heyas, - I'll be in that parade (in Kilt no less!) with the rest of my Clan. You should probably check out the Friday night Scotch tasting at the Compania Center (ticket required,) and stop over by the Lycem in Alexandria after the walk. Both will be having activities special there.

[schoenick]

You don't say what you are looking for in lunch? Casual? formal? Italian? American? Thai?

Olde Towne is far from a bust these days. There have been several new restaurants open lately. You might try O'Connell's (http://www.danieloconnells.com/). They have three different pubs (average age is 300 years old) as well as a restaurant proper. There is also a fish n chips restaurant that the folks from Restaurant Eve recently opened - it's named after their son but for the life of me, I can't remember the name. It's on the corner of King and Columbus. Of course, there is also Restaurant Eve itself (http://www.restauranteve.com/home/ind...) - if you do a search on this board, you will find numerous postings on Eve.

If you give a little more detail on what you are looking for in lunch in Old Town, you may get more responses.

[camstone]

Ditto the recommendation for O'connells - but only for lunch. The dinner menu while good, is a tad pricey.

And I want to try that new fish and chips shop... it just opened and I can't remembe the name of it either... it's up on King St. in old town.

[monkeyrotica]

You mean Eamonn's Dublin Chipper at 728 King.

[NoVaDog]

Eamonn's has good fish and chips, primarily a take out place with a few shared picnic tables, it would not be suitable for a group lunch.

[camstone]

Yeahp, you are correct... smallish. But still nice to have locally. I miss good fish and chips, with proper chips.

[Atlantis]

Check out Stardust, which is in North Old Town (that's what they're calling it now). A truly WONDERFUL place with great food, terrific and amusing ambience, and the most wonderful staff in the whole DC metropolitan area, as far as I'm concerned.

The only problem might be their hours, but you can check that out. You will NOT be disappointed. And the bathrooms are as much fun as the restaurant!

http://www.stardustrestaurant.com/

[foodiegrl]

While I have not been personally, I have heard great things about Geranio from a coworker, who is also a food freak:
http://www.geranio.net/
Reviews:
http://www.geranio.net/reviews_and_pr...