Need Alexandria restaurant for birthday party for a 95 year old!

June 27, 2007 10:33 PM

Where should my family eat in Alexandria?

Requirements:
-- serves lunch and dinner
-- semi-formal (sportcoat level, not full suit)
-- in Alexandria specifically
-- first floor seating available (read: no stairs to get to dining room)
-- quick service
-- willing to take substitutions

Nice to have:
-- reservations
-- vegetarian offerings
-- decent desserts
-- view of water

Not required:
-- extensive alcohol offerings
-- allergy considerations
-- religious restrictions

This will be for about 7-10 adults, ranging in age from 22 to around 95.

posted by sperose to food & drink (10 comments total)

I have heard some good things said about 100 King, but have never been there myself. It's close enough to the river that you might be able to see the water from there.

Gadsby's Tavern also might meet your requirements, if you want someplace that's interesting and historic. Veggie options there might be pretty limited, though; dinner fare is pretty much meat or seafood. It's not right on the water, but it's pretty close. The building is pretty old -- not sure how accessible it is. (There has to be an accessible entrance somewhere though. If you call and ask I'm sure they can let you know.)

Further up King St., Vermilion is a nice place with a more contemporary menu. They make a big deal of their wine selection, but the food is excellent also. Be sure to request seating on the ground floor, because they have at least two dining floors, possibly three. Probably not walking distance to the waterfront though, unless your birthday guy/gal is pretty spry.

If you want someplace that's a little more reasonably priced and closer to the waterfront, one of my personal favorites is the Fish Market, but it may be more casual than you're looking for. I'd say it's more of a golf-shirt-and-khakis place, particularly on the weekends. I've been there in a suit and in a blazer and while I wasn't uncomfortably overdressed, I didn't see anyone else dressed similarly either. Their Shrimp Norfolk and Blue Points are outstanding though, and by King St. standards dirt cheap.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:32 PM on June 27, 2007

I just spent a week in Alexandria, LA. But I'm guessing from your profile you're asking about Alexandria, VA. I'll keep an eye on the thread just in case it's the former.
posted by ewagoner at 6:52 AM on June 28, 2007

you should really ask this question on the dc board at chowhound.com.

you'll probably get more answers, if not better ones.
posted by kneelconqueso at 7:06 AM on June 28, 2007

Alexandria Minnesota?
posted by DieHipsterDie at 7:42 AM on June 28, 2007

Alexandria, Egypt?
posted by zadcat at 7:48 AM on June 28, 2007

Eat at La Piazza by the Braddock Road metro stop and I'll be supremely jealous. Oh, how I miss it.
posted by The World Famous at 9:51 AM on June 28, 2007

I thought the OP meant Egypt, too. But the post is tagged with Virginia.
posted by ZeroDivides at 11:26 AM on June 28, 2007

Yes, I did mean VA. I thought I had that tossed into the post too, but I guess it went AWOL during the editing process.
posted by sperose at 2:36 PM on June 28, 2007

Chart House is right on the water but it can be a long walk down the pier (maybe they have another entrance I dont know about) or Indigo Landing at the marina? I'm partal to Mai Thai but I think only the 2nd floor has a view of the water.
posted by mcbietila at 3:19 PM on July 1, 2007

As an update:

We went to 100 King today for lunch and it was absolutely FANTASTIC. The food was wonderful, the service was attentive without being annoying, and the restaurant was just perfect. Even the crotchety old aunts who can manage to find something to complain about had nothing to bad to say about this place.

Thanks AskMe!
posted by sperose at 2:27 PM on August 25, 2007