Seeking good eats in Alexandria Old Town for girls' weekend!

[foodseeker]

We are coming from all over the country and meeting in Old Town for a much needed girls' weekend. Any suggestions for great restaurants for dinner or brunch? Any type of food ok, just nothing that will break the bank. Places with great food where it is easy to talk are in order. Any ideas? TIA Chowhounds!

[foodseeker]

We ended up going to The Majestic one night, and Vermillion the next. Both were absolutely amazing and great places to relax and talk. The food was outstanding - - just what we were looking for. At Majestic, we enjoyed the mussels, crab cakes, fried green tomato -- just to name a few. At Vermillion, the salads were equisite as were the entrees. Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread!

[foodseeker]

Thanks so much for all of your input! ! I am leaning towards Vermillion or Majestic, and love all the brunch/lunch recommendations.

[Elyssa]

You should definitely check out The Majestic. I went there with some girlfriends a little while back and we all loved the American comfort food menu (updated to be more modern) and cocktails. Definitely save room for dessert.

On Sundays they have a pre-set family style meal.

[thistle5]

If you can get in early enough (when they open), the lickity split lunch at the bar at Restaurant Eve is great!-the regular lunch in the bistro is wonderful also, just a little more pricey, & the cocktails are amazing...

For more casual dining, I like Southside 815 (if it's nice, you can sit outside & breathe exhaust)...

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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Southside 815
815 S Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314

[sweth]

Lickety Split is M-F only. I also don't find that the bar at Eve is particularly conducive to more than 2 folks chatting.

[thistle5]

Sorry, wasn't paying attention, I've only had the bar lunch w/ 1 friend during the week, but I bet lunch in the bistro would be just as good. I definitely want to try lunch at the Majestic, too...

[chowser]

I like the Royal Pick at the Majestic but, as with Eve, the bar isn't the best place for chatting with friends. The Bistro at Eve is nice for quiet chat, pricey, though. The Majestic restaurant itself would be nice.

[katecm]

I agree with the recommendations for The Majestic, which is wonderfull. Also, Hank's Oyster Bar is fantastic. There's also the Grape and Bean for wine before dinner or after brunch.

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Hank's Oyster Bar
1026 King St Ste 1, Alexandria, VA 22314

[sweth]

How many people? Are drinks important? And what price range?

[foodseeker]

4 people. A place with a good wine list would be nice -- but we're not looking for crazy. We're mostly looking for a restaurant with good food where we can talk and just be together. . .

[Jeserf]

The dinner I had at the Majestic was very, very good. It's been a while since I've been so many others can attest to the quality lately?

[ChewFun]

Columbia Firehouse is pretty good and just off of King Street (half a block). Majestic is good. At the bottom of King Street (the very, very bottom) just past Union Street, there is a Thai restaurant that is pretty good.

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King Street Cafe
1018 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

[sweth]

There are two Thai places down there now; Mai Thai is surprisingly good given the touristy location, but my one experience at Red Curry (owned, I believe, by the same people as Mai Thai) involved some of the worst service I've had in years, so I'd recommend staying away from there.

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Mai Thai
1200 19th St NW, Washington, DC

[ChewFun]

The location of Red Curry is a damned location. Every restaurant that has inhabited the building has died.

[woodleyparkhound]

I've only had "Nana's Sunday Supper" at the Majestic; I don't recommend it.

[sweth]

Sounds like you want Vermilion (modulo the fact that you didn't specify what "break the bank" means in your neck of the woods).

An alternative for brunch that might be fun is Fontaine Caffe.