This was the mother of all lunches. An estimated 6,000 people swarmed throughout the atrium building of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office complex to sample just what the restaurants near their new headquarters had to offer.
Billed as "The Taste of Alexandria," 33 local eateries brought some of their best cuisine to introduce themselves to newly arrived and arriving PTO employees. Scheduled to officially begin at 11:30 a.m. last Wednesday, the crowd was a block long well before that start time.
"This has turned out extraordinarily well. I would never had guessed it was going to be this successful. It's almost overwhelming," said Ken Moore, president and CEO, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the first time event.
"To get so many Alexandria restaurants to show off what kind of industry we have is fantastic. This will do great things for getting PTO employees into the city," said Charles Collum, 2005 Chamber chairman, and Chairman of the Board, Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust Company.
Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille saw the event as "an outreach by our restaurateurs to showcase all the different types of cuisine available throughout the city. Hopefully they will take advantage of our free 'Lunchtime Shuttle' to visit these restaurants."
There was something for every palate at the food stations located on both levels of the light drenched atrium. The lines snaked from one type of food to another with many PTO'ers moving from one location to the next without missing a beat.
NOT ONLY was it one big food fest, it also served as a grand social hour for employees. Comments such as "Have you tried the clam chowder?" or "Where did you get that chocolate cake?" were part of an ongoing buzz.
Restaurateurs also deemed it successful with the suggestion that it shouldn't be done just once. "It was very cool. If we do it again next year I'll bring more people to serve and more food. This was very well received," said Graham McCulloch, general manager, Austin Grill.
"I thought it was a lot of fun. We were serving our Thursday special. It was just a teaser in hopes some might decide to come for lunch tomorrow," said Kelsey Boesch, events coordinator, Stella's, which is within walking distance of the PTO.
The only complaint voiced by some restaurateurs was that they were restricted as to the amount of food and personnel they could bring. Also, all food had to be prepared ahead of time since no actual cooking was permitted within the building.
By 12:30 p.m. many restaurants were beginning to close down because they were out of food. The event was scheduled to last until 1 p.m.
In addition to the Austin Grill and Stella's, other participants included: Bittersweet Catering, Cameron Perks Coffeehouse, Chart House, Cold Stone Creamery, Dishes of India, Fireflies, Fish Market, Flying Fish, Founders' Restaurant & Brewing Co., Generous George's Positive Pizza & Pasta, Hard Times Cafe, Hollin Hall Pastry Shop, Hops Grill, Bar & Brewery.
Janet's Java, Joe Theismann's Restaurant, La Bergerie, La Prima Catering, Landini Brothers, Inc., Laporta's Restaurant, Le Gaulouis, Majestic Cafe, Mango Mike's Cool Caribbean Cafe, Noodles & Co. in Alexandria, Perfect Pita, Seagar's Restaurant & Lounge, Tempo Restaurant, Traditions & Chequers, Vermilion Restaurant, Village IL Porto, and Wharf/Warehouse Bar & Grill.