Eight Alexandria Restaurants Added to 2009 Zagat Dining Guide

July 20th, 2008 Categories: Dining Favorites

The 2009 Zagat Guide for the Greater Washington DC and Baltimore area is hot off the press and eight Alexandria restaurants have made the new list.

Zagat’s ranking are from the diner’s point of view and take food, decor, service and cost into consideration.

The Washington area guide received input from 7,235 frequent dinners.

Of these surveyors, 53% are women and 47% are men.

The breakdown by age shows 15% in their 20s; 25% in their 30s; 19% in their 40s; 21% in their 50;; and 20% are 60 or above.

Alexandria restaurants making this year’s list are:

Bookbinders, 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703.683.1776. This steak and seafood emporium springs from the legendary Philadelphia favorite of the same name. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Portner’s Saloon, Bookbinders oak paneled setting is classic and makes it right at home in Old Town.

Carlyle Club, 411 John Carlyle Drive, 703.549.8957. Nightly dancing to “live big band music” or jazz in a room that recalls an early forties art deco supper club. Definitely for persons of a “certain age” the fare is strictly American.

Fontaine Caffee and Creperie, 119 S. Royal St., 703.535.8151. Tucked into an Old Town storefront on a quiet store front, sweet and savory crepes (the peach crepe really caught my attention), coffee, wine and beer and European style sidewalk seating make this an ‘authentic’ Parisian experience.

Hanks Oyster Bar, 1026 King St., 703.739.4265. An offshoot of a long time Washington favorite, the Old Town location was an immediate hit. Oysters and lobsters are a specialty. Both locations are TINY but “worth the crowds, noise and waits.”

Jackson 20, Hotel Monaco, 480 King St., 703.549.6080. Named after President Andrew Jackson, the American menu here is reasonably priced - the portions are very large - and the wine list celebrates Virginia vineyards. A “hip crowd” is making its mark but so is the noise level!

Jamieson Grille, Hotel Westin, 400 Courthouse Sq., 703.253.8600. Not well marked from the outside (look for the Trademark Bar sign), a favorite here is the dessert samplers, with each tidbit $2. The adjoining lounge has its own menu with with flights of Virginia wine paired with local cheeses.

Le Pain Quotidien, 701 King St., 703.683.2273. Crusty breads, open face sandwiches, soups, pastries and killer hot chocolate are the drawing cards. Long waits are the downside.

Zikrayet Lebanese, 540 John Carlyle St.. 571.218.9839. Patrons relax on low couches with hookahs and flavored tobaccos while taking in Lebanese meze and homestyle entrees. DJ’s are on hand Thursday - Saturday nights.

Earlier this month I predicted that one of Del Ray’s newest, La Strada, would be a great candidate for Zagat’s - little did I know that the 2009 edition would be in stores the next day! So, new prediction - La Strada will be in the 2010 Zagats which we will highlight next July.

What started in 1979 as a hobby among friends in New York, Zagats’s now counts 325,000 surveyors among their ranks, covering airlines, bars, clubs, dinning, entertaining, golf, hotels, lounges, movies, music, resorts, shopping, spas, theater and tourist attractions worldwide.

Interested in who was added in 2008? Check out: