I’m a little later than I’d like in getting this posted, but I figure two weeks ought to be enough time.
For those who may not be in the know the Straight Dope Alcohol and Appetizers Appreciation Society is a gathering of Balt/DC area dopers who meet on the last Friday of every month to eat, drink and enjoy each other’s company. The location varies so as to give as many dopers as possible a shot at meeting each other. Locations, time, date, etc. are not set in stone and suggestions on all those things are welcome. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you have 2 posts or 15,000.
The next meeting of the Alcohol and Appetizers Appreciators is currently up for planning in Alexandria, VA. The date and time shall be Friday, April 25 at 8PM. I don’t know Alexandria worth a squat so suggestions on potential locations would be appreciated. For the record, we’ve had parties of over ten people the last two outings, so please take that into consideration when you make a suggestion.
Also please try to be on time. If you think that you can make it but you’ll be late please let us know. At the last AAA meeting we had trouble getting seated because half our party was late and I’d like to not repeat that. This isn’t a dig at anyone because I was one of the people late, it’s just more of a request to try to get things to run as smoothly as possible.
I guess it’d be kind of silly if I didn’t show up to this one, eh?
Well, for the record, the place I’ve been suggesting in the past has been Toro Tapas and Grill (map) in Shirlington. I’m pretty sure they’d be able to handle a party of our size, but I’ll try and call just to confirm that. I’ve heard some other people express some interest in going to this place when I’ve mentioned it before.
The good points:
What is more perfect for appreciating alcohol and appetizers than a Tapas bar?
The food is good
They had flamenco dancers once when I was there
It’s easy to find
Parking isn’t too terrible
If it ends up sucking, there’s a pool place/bar and a Capitol City Brewing Company down the street from it.
The bad point:
I was a little dissapointed with their beer selection, but they had Dos Equis which is my typical beer of choice when I’m eating that type of food.
Hmmm. Good question. May I suggest Ireland’s Four Provinces (henceforth known as the 4Ps) in Falls Church? I know it’s not Alexandria, but it’s very easily accessible from I-66 and the Beltway.
You see, Alexandria (Old Town, at least) is very hard to park in on Friday nights, and most restaurants are pretty crowded. The 4Ps has a great atmosphere, good food and beer, and live Irish music. And they oftentimes host large groups if we make a reservation. Parking is easy because they have a parking garage.
The tapas place sounds OK too, although I know parking is tough in Shirlington on a Friday night. Anyway, there’s my suggestion…
There’s plenty of places in Old Town, one of my favorites is King Street Blues. Surprisingly, the Old Town location isn’t even on King Street. It’s about a block up on St. Asaph.
There’s a Bertucci’s at 725 King. Cajun Bangkok at 907 King has some good reviews. At 1404 King is a Hard Times.
One last thing that Old Town has going for it: a Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop! Though as birdgirl said, parking could be a problem.
Further down King towards Bailey’s Crossroads, is Copeland’s. I’ve been to the original in Metairie, Louisiana.
There’s some restaurants in the Potomac Yards Shopping Center just outside of Arlington. One there is Hops, which is evidently competing with CCBC.
Here in Arlington is Chevy’s I’ve been to both the Ballston and Pentagon City locations several times. Great food and lots of it!
I agree that parking in Old Town can be darn near impossible on a Friday night, but I don’t think parking in Shirlington would be bad. There’s parking all over the place: Behind the theater is a huge lot. (Unless they built something there since the last time I went.) Shirlington is also easy to find off of Shirley Hwy (or as you new folks call it, Rt 395)
Tapas sounds good, and if you don’t like the beer, we can walk down a few doors to the brew pub. But whatever’s decided, I’m in!
I’m technically a Richmond Doper, but I’m up in NoVa quite often visiting family and friends. Can I come along to play for this one? I’d love to meet a few Dopers. As far as suggestions, I pretty much know my way all around Fairfax and Arlington, so I can go anywhere.
Yes, Ava, please come play with us. You can be on my team!
I think we need to hear from the Dopers who use Metro. Neither Shirlington nor Old Town are easily accessed by subway. Chevy’s at Ballston would be easy enough. How 'bout it wheel-less ones? I could pick folks up at the closest station if you want.
If metro-accesibility is an issue for anyone, I’m pretty close to the Huntington (Yellow Line) station, and I can pick up anybody from there.
In my experience, parking at Shirlington Friday/Saturday nights can be mildly annoying, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it bad. If you’ve got your heart set on parking in the really-close super-tiny lot right next to everything, then, well… you may have problems. But there is a not-to-shabby garage right next to that lot, and there’s a few other lots scattered around the general vicinity to pick from.
Very cool! Are there any team colors I should wear?
And as far as rides, depending on where I’m staying, I could either pick someone up in Arlington at the Pentagon City station, or at the Vienna station. I can’t promise anything about my driving, though:D.
One of my favorite restaurants have been mentioned here, but I’m not sure it would be a good choice.
The Cajun Bankkok is quite good, but even though it’s still in the Washingtonian’s “Cheap Eats” section, it shouldn’t be. I think my wife and I generally spend about $60, all told, when we eat there. (It’s recently changed its name, btw. It’s now something like “Lex’s Cajun Restaurant,” can’t remember exactly.)
I’m not keen on Chevy’s, either - sure, good Mex and lots of it, but it’s nothing to get excited about.
I’ve been to the Bombay Bicycle Club, and it’s OK.
My vote would be to try the tapas place that TeleTronOne suggested.
My current favorite Alexandria restaurant is Taqueria Poblano, but it’s way too small to accomodate us, unfortunately.
I’m rather new, but I’m up for Appreciating mass quantities of beer. I work in Old Town Alexandria, so whatever is decided I’ll just pop over there after work.
I’d offer to pick folks up from the Metro, but I have a 2-seater car so I can only fit one of ya, unless someone wants to crawl into the hatchback.
I work in Old Town Alexandria, so whatever is decided I’ll just pop over there after work.