Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Alexandria’s summertime Restaurant Week is back in action for another season, and diners will find plenty of options that are sure to appeal to every appetite. Here are three to be sure to try.
Carluccio’s, 100 King St.
For a taste of Italy here at home, Carluccio’s has made quite a name for itself on lower King Street since its opening last year. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll often find couples, families, and colleagues lingering over a cup of coffee or glass of wine in their outdoor tables — and an indoor dining room filled to the brim as well.
The eatery is offering a three-course menu filled with some of the restaurant’s favorites, from a funghi crostini appetizer to a summer vegetable soup; half-moon agnolotti filled with burrata cheese or truffle bavette, steak grilled with rosemary potatoes and truffle butter; and a spongy zuccotto cake with whipped cream for dessert, just to name a few.
Bombay Curry Company, 2607 Mount Vernon Ave.
Variety is the watchword with Del Ray’s Bombay Curry Company, a perennial neighborhood favorite. When it comes to Restaurant Week, the sky’s the limit: The dinner menu offers a starter to share, two entrees, and two desserts for $35, with nary a limitation to be found.
For an appetizer, the samosas are well worth your time. Flaky and airy, these potato-filled pastries are the perfect way to whet your appetite for the main event. And about that main event: The thali is a wonderful way to see the culinary world, offering diners a taste of several vegetarian Indian favorites — from the spinach-rich saag paneer to lentil dal — all on one plate. Or try one of Bombay Curry’s biryanis, rice medleys mixed with chicken, lamb, or vegetables and plenty of aromatic spices.
Save the rice pudding for a sweet finish to the meal and toast this neighborhood gem.
The Majestic, 911 King St.
The newly renovated Majestic has hopped right into the Restaurant Week game with a passel of menu options to give diners a taste of what the newly staffed kitchen is offering.
From an appetizer of stone fruit salad, diners can have a choice of three entrees and two desserts. The Cheshire pork chop is especially appealing, served with polenta and balsamic cherries alongside, and for dessert, you’d be crazy to miss out on the famous Majestic coconut cake. Although the Nutella budino is certainly worthy of attention as well. Better bring a dinner date!
Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.