Photo by John Arundel Restaurant partners Sandy Lewis (L) and Jamie Leeds (R) have brought their New England beachfare and rustic charm across the river to Old Town.

By John Arundel
Managing Editor

Alexandria has always been a magnet for new restaurateurs.

King Street’s “Restaurant Row,” and its connecting side streets, is often the place where these chef-owners bring their pots, pans and dreams of culinary triumph.

The Irish-born Cathal Armstrong, chef and impresario of Restaurant Eve, The Majestic and Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper, made his mark here, winning both a 2007 James Beard Award and taking top awards at the 25th annual Rammy Awards in June, including Chef of the Year and Wine and Beverage Program of the Year.

Last year, Ivory Coast-born chef Morou Outtara, the Food Network’s “Iron Chef,” brought his modern tribal cuisine approach to Farah Olivia on Franklin Street, further shaking up the restaurant scene, leaving local diners with less reasons to go downtown.

While some eateries shutter or wash out, others take the culinary barometer and give the Historic District a run. This year added two more to the mix, Hank’s Oyster Bar and Bookbinder’s. Both have put their stamp on the restaurant scene, and both are funded by area investors.


Hank's Oyster Bar
Hank’s Oyster Bar opened this year at 1026 King Street, formerly the site of a Cuban-styled restaurant, Bohio’s.  

Chef/owner Jamie Leeds, who trained at the famous Union Square Cafe in New York, and partner Sandy Lewis of Arlington plan to bring the New England-styled beach fare and rustic charm found in their popular Dupont Circle eatery. Restaurant-goers can find the same signature exposed brick walls, chalkboard menus, marble bar and expansive fresh oyster selection as across the river.

Hank’s opened with 40 seats inside. “We really just loved the space, being in Old Town. It just fell into our laps,” she said.

Hank’s resident chef will be Troy Walker, brought in from the Beacon Hotel in D.C. Walker likes to cook “simple, approachable seafood,” with small and large plates for sharing. “We don’t have a freezer,” Lewis said. “Nothing is frozen. Everything comes in that day.”

On November 27, Leeds and Lewis are opening the doors of CommonWealth, a brand new British-inspired and American-bred gastropub, for a special family-style Thanksgiving roast. 

Featuring a three-course menu of seasonal dishes served family-style, the Thanksgiving feast will be offered from 1 pm-8 pm for $25 per person, excluding gratuity and tax. In addition to the holiday menu, guests can order snacks from the CommonWealth menu and the pub menu will be served from 9 pm- 11 pm. Located at 1400 Irving Street NW.

"CommonWealth is dedicated to supporting local farmers and will be serving naturally fed turkeys and grass fed beef," said Leeds of the British gastro-pub. 

Leeds said she will present Thanksgiving favorites incorporating the freshest local ingredients as guests begin with either a mug of soup or an arugula salad followed by the main course of roast turkey with cranberry sauce, roast beef with shallot port jus, mashed potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, collard greens, cauliflower, green bean casserole, and two kinds of stuffing: oyster stuffing and mushroom-chestnut stuffing. For dessert, guests will be treated to a selection of her homemade pies. 

The first of its kind in the area, the British-inspired, American-bred gastropub offers British “modern classics” lightened up by the focus of fresh local ingredients and use of modern cooking techniques. The 85-seat dining room features an enclosed private dining room with a capacity of 20, 40-seat pub area and an expansive 35-seat outdoor patio for al fresco dining.

Bookbinder’s

For three decades, Portner’s at 109 So. St. Asaph’s Street had been an Old Town institution. It was once Zagat’s highest-rated Alexandria eatery. Portner’s, which had once been operated by Beverly Hills-based Hamburger Hamlet, shuttered in 2006.

But a local group of investors, led by Ralph and Lisa Capobianco of King Street Blues and Birchmere fame (Ralph was once VP of Operations for Hamburger Hamlet) have put up a new awning for an October revival. Also providing capital and advice to the venture are Old Town-based builder Murray Bonnit, Old Town attorney Jay Test and his wife Jan, Clark & Sampson insurance company partner Bill Howard of Old Town and his wife Julie, as well as Union Street Pub and Birchmere investor Jimmy Mathews of Arlington and investor Joannie Mathews.

Restaurateur Stephen Parry of Richmond has licensed Bookbinder’s name to the local investors in preparation of a white table cloth steak and seafood house, much like the ones he’s helped build in Richmond, Midlothian, Lynchburg and Charlottesville.

Built as the Columbia Firehouse in 1883, Parry said the construction at the old Portner’s works to preserve much of the old millwork and nostalgic environment. “It’s a timepiece,” he said.