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Enat: Alexandria’s Destination for Ethiopian Cuisine

May 15, 2013 By

Enat, which means “mother” in the native tongue of Ethiopia, is the place to go for authentic Ethiopian cuisine in Alexandria. A family business near the Landmark Plaza, Enat offers delicious food at reasonable prices. Whether you come in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the wonderful wait staff will help you with your menu choices. Start with Kinche with cracked wheat butter, or the combo platter of favorites. For lunch or dinner, there's Wat, a stew made with beef, chicken, or lamb. The fish special is complemented with vegetables and mita mita, an Ethiopian spice. If you're vegetarian, there’s still plenty to choose from! The Shiro, a puree of peas and chickpeas with spices gets high marks, as does the veggie sampler with Injera, diced tomatoes, onions, and hot green peppers. Don't forget to try an Ethiopian beer!

Enat
4709 N. Chambliss Street
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 642-3628
http://www.yelp.com/biz/enat-restaurant-alexandria

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Valentino’s New York Style Pizzeria: A Piece Of The Pie

April 18, 2013 By

Pizza diehards all have their own regional style that they prefer, but New York style usually ranks pretty high on everybody’s list. The Big Apple’s pizza is fired in a hot oven with a thin, crispy crust that doesn’t overpower the other flavors, and toppings are usually kept down to a reasonable level. You don’t have to be in Manhattan to have real New York style pizza, though, as regulars at Valentino’s New York Style Pizzeria in Alexandria can attest. This place serves up exceptional pies to appreciative diners on a daily basis, with a note-perfect crust and a sauce that perfectly balances sweet and savory notes to support cheese and toppings adroitly. In addition, the pies here are absolutely enormous, with one weighing in at a staggering 20 inches across. This isn’t a place for tiny appetites, but if you’re hungry Valentino’s offers a great bargain. Try their savory, buttery garlic knots as well.

Valentino’s New York Style Pizzeria
4813 Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 354-8383
http://www.yelp.com/biz/valentinos-new-york-style-pizzeria-alexandria

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Hunan Manor: Alexandria’s Authentic Chinese Cuisine

April 10, 2013 By

Alexandria locals looking for awesome Chinese food have been raving about Hunan Manor for years. This is a neighborhood favorite that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but generations have been getting take-out dishes there and the quality has remained high that whole time. The ambience here is nothing special, but it’s the food that keeps people coming back. Some of the most popular dishes include the crab Rangoon, fried to perfection and filled with gooey cheese, as well as the General Tso’s chicken which is crisp and sweet with just the right hint of heat. The shrimp with lobster sauce are also really good, with much larger seafood than most Chinese restaurants offer up. They also have a bunch of vegetarian options. Prices are reasonable and the kitchen gets your food ready quickly.

Hunan Manor
1305 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 768-6888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hunan-manor-alexandria

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Juliano’s: A Popular Alexandria Pizza Parlor

March 27, 2013 By

If you’re looking for an Italian place that doesn’t worry about making things too fancy, but rather focuses on sizable portions and good prices, Juliano’s will be right up your alley. This workmanlike pizza parlor has earned a positive reputation among locals for serving sizable slices, heaping hoagies, and plentiful plates of pasta with good quality and service. The pies here are a compromise between the traditional New York thin crust and something a little thicker, with a doughy feeling that holds up well underneath cheese and toppings. The typical combinations are available, with regulars recommending the Greek pizza for a change of pace. The pasta dishes are simple but filling, with the baked spaghetti winning raves for being some of the area’s best comfort food. If you crave spicy, the hot wings – available by the dozen or half-dozen – pack a serious kick.

Juliano’s
5950 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22303
(703) 317-3889
http://www.yelp.com/biz/julianos-alexandria

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The Butcher’s Block: Choice Cuts in Alexandria

March 14, 2013 By

A sandwich is just a sandwich, some people say, but those people have obviously never eaten at The Butcher’s Block. This Alexandria favorite takes pride in sourcing the best ingredients for its food, whether it be curing meat and making pates in house or importing fine cheeses from all over the world. Throw in freshly-baked baguettes to put these great ingredients on and you have the recipe for a truly transcendent sandwich. Some of the favorites on the menu include the North Carolina style pulled pork with slaw and the house-roasted beef with pepper salad, mayo, locally-grown onions and arugula, but everything is good and flavorful. Lunch combos are just twelve bucks with chips and a beverage, which is quite the deal. There's a great selection of imported Belgian beers that pair awesomely with the sandwiches and charcuterie. The Butcher’s Block also hosts frequent cooking demonstrations and more, making it a real hub for the local culinary community.

The Butcher’s Block
1600 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 894-5253
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-butchers-block-a-market-by-rw-alexandria-2

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Grape & Bean: Alexandria’s Coffee and Wine Bar

February 26, 2013 By

The little coffee bean and the simple wine grape are treated like royalty at the Grape & Bean. Located in Alexandria's Old Town, the Grape & Bean wine bar and wine shop is a great spot to try great wines, get a bite to eat for lunch or dinner. Come into the intimate wine bar and try products from independent vineyards. Want to know more about wine? Take a class at Grape & Bean. For lunch or dinner, share a mixed cheese and meat plate. Small and large plates feature wonderful sandwiches, but the roast turkey is particularly popular. Wrap up your experience with one of the eco-friendly coffees from beans roasted by some of the country's best roasters.

Grape & Bean
118 S. Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 664-0214
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grape-bean-alexandria

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Teaism: A Classic Tea House in Alexandria

February 18, 2013 By

The tea ceremony is one of the world's most elegant and meaningful rituals, celebrating the simple drink in an eminently social setting. One of the Washington, D.C. area’s most respected restaurant chains, Teaism takes inspiration from that ceremony and extends it into a deeply satisfying dining experience that has locals raving. The Alexandria outpost of Teaism is a great place to visit for breakfast or lunch. The teas, of course, are the major selling point here, and they offer a huge selection of brews from all over the world. Regulars rave that the authentic chai is spectacular, as are the green and black teas. The restaurant also serves a variety of food, from breakfast classics like omelets to more innovative dishes like cilantro-spiced scrambled eggs served with tea-cured salmon. Their baked goods are also very nice, with many diners raving loudly about the salty oat cookies.

Teaism
682 N. St. Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-7777
http://www.yelp.com/biz/teaism-alexandria-2

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Villa di Este: Old Town Italian Cuisine

January 30, 2013 By

This popular Italian restaurant located in Alexandria’s Old Town transcends the typical, serving up spectacular fresh pastas, perfectly-cooked meat and seafood, and truly wonderful desserts. Villa di Este has excellent ambience for a business dinner or a date, as the room is quiet and private, making you feel as if you’re alone in the room. The servers and staff are equally impeccable, able to answer any questions you have about the food while managing unique requests with aplomb. Some of the most popular entrees include the linguine frutti de mar, which is made fresh and features tons of perfectly-cooked seafood, as well as the veal ravioli. The wine selection is fairly extensive and the staff can pair with your dishes if you ask. Leave room for desserts, as their tiramisu is well-regarded. Meals can last a long time here, so plan for a nice leisurely meal.

Villa di Este
818 N. St. Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-9477
http://www.yelp.com/biz/villa-di-este-alexandria-2

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Tempt Asian Café: Rich and Flavorful Chinese Cuisine in Alexandria

January 23, 2013 By

The quest for authentic Chinese food in northern Virginia can be involved – there are plenty of places that knock out tasty yet generic Americanized dishes, but few that really embrace the rich and flavorful cuisine. Thankfully, Tempt Asian Café fills that niche. Some of the best dishes here come from the Sichuan region of China, including delectable, peppery Dan Dan noodles, as well as hot pot dried steak. The heat in the dishes here is just perfect, with the chefs using Chinese peppers and the spice known as Ma La to evoke a rich and complex flavor that will tantalize your mouth. The menu is quite extensive, offering something for just about everybody. Other popular dishes include the short rib hot pot, the wontons in chili oil, and the eggplant in garlic sauce. Prices are totally reasonable, and locals know to go in big groups and order family style to get a little bit of everything.

Tempt Asian Café
6259 Little River Turnpike
Alexandria, VA 22311
(703) 750-6802
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tempt-asian-cafe-alexandria

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La Mexicana Bakery and Taqueria: Great Tacos and Delightful Desserts

December 27, 2012 By

Alexandria residents know that the one stop for both great tacos and dessert is La Mexicana Bakery and Taqueria, a long-running local institution that offers an extensive menu of great dishes. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, nestled in an unappealing strip mall, but once you’re inside you’ll be in for a treat. As you’d expect, the tacos here are exceptional. Made in the classic, authentic style, they’re filled with your choice of meat. Some of the best choices are the moist, flavorful carnitas, the awesome barbacoa, and the carne asada, accented with lime, cilantro, onions, and great house-made salsa. Other intriguing menu items include the great tortas, made on bread baked fresh every hour. Once you’re fill, make room for the desserts. La Mexicana produces a huge variety of cakes, cookies, and Mexican delicacies, with regulars raving about the shell-shaped pastries known as conchas. Prices are very fair and service is fast and efficient.

La Mexicana Bakery and Taqueria
2907 Arlington Drive
Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 717-0807
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-mexicana-bakery-and-taqueria-alexandria

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