Cuban Restaurant in Alexandria

[mjg]

I'll be visiting some friends in Alexandria this weekend. My wife and I are on our own for dinner on Saturday night, and because we are from Pittsburgh (where we lack a great diversity of ethnic eats), we're hoping to try something new. We'll most likely be in Old Town (I think that is what the area is called) and without a vehicle.

Are there any Cuban restaurants in the area? If not, any suggestions for reasonably priced ethnic foods around there?

[mnebergall]

The weather is expected to be great this weekend. I suggest that you take a stroll up or down King street and see what strikes your fancy. There is a great Greek restaurant, several Asian spots, French, Italian. I have never had a bad meal at Landini Bros. on lower King. Scotland Yard (never been but its been there forever so it can't be bad). On Washington St, a block north of King is Le Refuge, a quaint little French spot (reservatioon recommended). In short, there are a zillion restaurants iin Old Town.

Edited to add: No Cuban that I know of.

Edited April 16, 2004 by mnebergall (log)

[gnatharobed]

Cafe Salsa serves Latin American cuisine-- never been but I know it's in Alexandria.

808 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-684-4100

[Al_Dente]

A stroll along King St will definitely be the thing to do. I live in Old Town and have learned there are a lot of places to avoid. Like mnebergall, I enjoy Landini Bros, Le Refuge, and the Greek place Taverna Cretekou which has outdoor seating in the back. All those places are at least above average.

If you really want ethnic though, you should just head into DC. There is too much mediocrity in Old Town. It's easy to hop on the Metro at King St and get downtown in about 20 mins or so.

[mjg]

Thanks, everyone, for your speedy responses.

[JPW]

As fellow yinzer i have to take exception to your mention of the lack of ethnic cuisine in the 'burgh. You can have Italian, Polish, Ukrainian, German - just about anything - as long as it's Central or Eastern European

My experiences with food in Old Town have generally been rather ordinary with the exception of the french places (I used to live in the next neighborhood north). If you are really looking for "ethnic " food then please take Al_Dente's suggestion and jump on the metro to DC proper.

2 alternatives in case you don't want to take that long a trip, jump in a cab for a 5 minute ride to Taqueria Poblano (Mt. Vernon Ave. in Del Ray) for burritos and kick-ass margaritas, or a just a little further (5 more minutes) up Mt. Vernon Ave to Bombay Curry Company for some excellent Indian.

Al - you really like Taverna Cretekou? I always thought that it was a little too pricey. I preferred the greek place in Crystal City.

[syzygy8]

If you are really looking for "ethnic " food then please take Al_Dente's suggestion and jump on the metro to DC proper.

I third that suggestion. It's 20 minutes with no transfers necessary on the yellow line from King Street to Gallery Place. Once there you've got within several blocks quality French, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, Burmese, Thai, "pan-eastern Mediterranean" wood-fired pizzas and Texas BBQ. Not one of them a chain restaurant, beyond local.

[Alex]

...or how about the Yellow Line to Archives-Navy Memorial and walk a couple of blocks to Cafe Atlantico. Not Cuban per se, but Pan-American/Nuevo Latino and a real treat. Web site here.

[hannnah]

Scotland Yard (never been but its been there forever so it can't be bad). 

There are a few gems on Scotland Yard's menu - excellent sausage roll and Scotch eggs as appetizers, a lamb filet mignon wrapped in bacon for an entree, and a tasty Scotch trifle. The overall dining experience can be, well, interesting.

Last time I was there, we were sitting relatively close to the door. The taciturn Scotsman who serves as host was there in his kilt, sipping a not-so-wee dram and waiting for folks to come in. A party of yuppie types pauses outside the door to look over the menu.

He hops up, opens the door, grasps one of the yuppies by her anorak and says "Come on in, lassie! It's cold oot!" They did stay for dinner - I think they were afraid to leave - and seemed to enjoy it.

[morela]

Scotland Yard (never been but its been there forever so it can't be bad). 

There are a few gems on Scotland Yard's menu - excellent sausage roll and Scotch eggs as appetizers, a lamb filet mignon wrapped in bacon for an entree, and a tasty Scotch trifle.

Scott Cheggs