Although we’ve lived in the D.C. metro area for more than five years, we haven’t spent much time exploring the food scene in Old Town Alexandria. Last weekend, we crossed the river for seasonal fare just five miles south of the nation’s capital. We enjoyed dinners at Vermillion and Restaurant Eve, brunch at Chart House and a snack at Brabo Tasting Room. The tasting menu at Restaurant Eve deserves its own blog post.
Lorien Hotel & Spa on King St., a contemporary Kimpton property, served as home base. It houses Robert Wiedmaier’s Brabo and Brabo Tasting Room. Having just missed the hotel’s wine reception, the front desk offered us complimentary wine vouchers, and we made the Tasting Room our first stop of the evening. The space was filled, but not overcrowded, with a jovial post-work crowd. We enjoyed a few glasses of Zolo Sauvignon Blanc and a cheese plate with some unique house made marmalades like balsamic marinated shallots.
Dinner at Vermillion
Vermillion features contemporary American dishes using local, farm-raised products. The bar stays open later than most in Old Town, and it is a favorite watering hole for many hospitality industry staff. It also severs Hillinger Secco Rose, an Austrian sparkling wine that we could previously only find at The Source and Total Wine.
Steak Tartare
Appetizer
Red angus steak tartare with beets two ways, goat cheese custard and warm ciabatta bread.
Mains
Pineland farms beef striploin with “smothered” brussels sprouts, fingerling potato confit & black truffle. The striploin was cooked well, but the flavorful sprouts were the true hero to this dish.
Rare yellowfin tuna with baby bok choy, wild mushroom consommé & Asian flavors. The dish was true to its Asian flavors, although the consommé was salty and better served on the side as a dipping sauce.
Banana 3 Ways
Dessert
Banana 3 ways –inside a Nutella crepe, sliced, caramelized and served next to hazelnut ice cream. The dish had a nice balance of warm and cold treats with creamy and crunchy textures. But really, how can you go wrong with Nutella?
Brunch at Chart House
Sunday brunch is served from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, so reservations are recommended, although we arrived at 1:30 and only waited 20 minutes. Brunch has many attractive features, including the waterfront location, complimentary “goblet” of champagne and a salad bar stocked with smoked salmon and caviar among other traditional fare.
Our entrees were a bit over seasoned, but the crab cake Benedict used jumbo lump crab meat, and the prime rib was cooked properly despite its thin cut.
We will go back for dinner or drinks, but remember that the view and lively atmosphere may be the highlight of the meal.
We recommend perusing King St. for other tasty eateries, pubs, bakeries, cheese and wine shops. Tell us about your favorite places in Old Town.
