'Tis the season for holiday parties and businesses throughout Alexandria have entertained staff and clients in a variety of ways.
Brecher Design and The Alexandria Guide invited about 60 people to celebrate the season with them at Founders’ Restaurant on King Street Tuesday.
“We have done all of their design work for them [restaurant] and they did this fabulous party for us,” said Barbara Brecher. “We made the decorations at the office and they provided everything else.”
The decorations included a tree adorned with stress-relieving dog bones. “They’re a gift from Cralle Cove, our morale officer,” Brecher said. Cralle Cove is Brecher’s Chow-Lab mix who actually runs the office.
The food was selected and prepared by chef Steve Winterling. “He made suggestions and we thought they were great,” Brecher said.
Guests helped themselves to a buffet of hors d’ouvres that included shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, a variety of cheeses, roast beef, salami, humus and more. “The idea was to have a variety of things that almost everyone would enjoy,” Brecher said.
TO DRINK, people could choose between wine and beer that is brewed at Founders’ Restaurant. “All of the beer is named for Alexandria’s founding fathers,” Brecher said.
Ellen Andrus, who writes a column for Alexandria Guide, did the research for historical accuracy. Smoot’s Stout was named for John Smoot who served as mayor of Alexandria from 1885 to 1891. His claim to fame was an ordinance prohibiting cows from wandering along King Street. Any cow who was caught on the thoroughfare alone was to be impounded. On the day that the ordinance took effect, Smoot’s own cow did not return home. It was the first bovine to be taken into police custody under Smoot’s ordinance.
Wise’s Weiss is named for John Wise, tavernkeeper extraordinaire. He came to Alexandria from Georgetown in 1782 and operated five different taverns, including Gadsby’s Tavern. He also built a number of homes in the city including Lloyd House.
“The restaurant is great and we love being able to entertain all of our friends and clients,” said Mike Geissinger, the owner, editor, photographer and only staff member at Alexandria Guide. “This is a great place to have a party.”
Founders’ Restaurant is located at 607 King Street.