The Connection

As the effects of the covid-19 pandemic continue to bear down on Alexandria, the city’s restaurants are pivoting with the times (and the orders of city and state government). Just like that, gone are the days of loitering at a table in an eatery’s dining room; in are the days of curbside pickup and delivery. And, thanks to some new regulations by the city government, restaurants can also offer beer, wine and cocktails for carryout or delivery (within VABC parameters, of course).

This week’s “Appetite” column is less of a column than it is a listing of some – but decidedly not all – restaurants offering up delivery or carryout options in the face of the pandemic. From bagels in the morning to margaritas with dinner, the area’s eateries have you covered.

Please note that while these listings are accurate as of press time, the landscape is changing quickly, so give restaurants a call or check out their social media pages before making a special trip.

Aslin Beer Company: Aslin’s West End tasting room is closed, but the brewery is keeping the beer flowing with curbside pickup and home delivery. During tasting room hours, simply order and pay via Aslin’s website and set a pickup time; or, for orders greater than $75, request delivery to your home for an additional $10 fee. https://www.aslinbeer.com/online-ordering

Chop Shop Taco: Let the taco shop make dinner for you and the family with Chop Shop Home Meals. Simply order the meal – which is suitable for a half-dozen people and includes a quart of pork posole, a half-pound of chorizo-beef, a half-pound of chicken and all the side items – online and set your pickup time. Each order comes with a $25 gift card – and two rolls of toilet paper. https://www.chopshoptaco.com

Elizabeth’s Counter: The new plant-based outpost, which recently began its transformation from Sugar Shack, is offering in-store pickup as well as delivery. Order your meal online at https://www.elizabethscounter.com/ for pickup, or order through UberEats for delivery.

Holy Cow, Pork Barrel BBQ and The Sushi Bar: The trio of restaurants situated next to each other on Mount Vernon Avenue offers tented curbside pickup. Order your meal online and then arrange a time for contactless pickup. Reach all three restaurants by going here: http://www.holycowdelray.com

Hops n Shine: Hops n Shine is offering a very limited number of dine-in tables as well as carry-out food and beer. Bring your growler for a fill-up or take home cans from the restaurant. Want to stay home instead? Order through Grubhub. http://hopsnshine.com

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Order four or more pints of Jeni’s ice cream, and the shop will deliver to your home. Or pick up a pint to go from the shop – order online before you head over. https://jenis.olo.com

Lost Boy Cider: Alexandria’s only cidery is offering curbside pickup for both six-packs well as 19-ounce stovepipes. Order online and arrange a pickup time between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. https://lostboycider.com

Lost Dog Café: Order ahead and pick up your pizza – or sandwiches, or beer – from Lost Dog, or select delivery and have the goodies come to you. https://www.lostdogcafe.com/

Michael’s Little Italy: Want to be pampered like a VIP? Choose the best table in the house at Michael’s Little Italy – which is, incidentally, now the only table in the house. Reserve the table and feast on a private chef’s dinner with wine pairing for two ($200). Each reservation the restaurant receives will be matched and a second one given to two people who work in Old Town’s hospitality industry. The restaurant’s takeout menu and family meals are also on offer; delivery is available via Slice or UberEats. Call 703-548-9338 or visit the website at https://www.michaelslittleitaly.com/temporarymenu

Misha’s Coffee: Misha’s has switched over to carryout-only as self-distancing has taken its course, and it’s also offering mail-order coffee beans. Visit the shop’s website to place an order. https://mishascoffee.com

Port City Brewing: Port City’s tasting room is closed during the self-isolation, but its curbside pickup business is picking up speed. Order your beer ahead of time, set a pickup time and then swing by the brewery to snag your order without ever leaving your car. https://www.portcitybrewing.com/events/curbside-pickup-at-port-city/

Spice Kraft: The beloved Indian restaurant in Del Ray is offering both curbside pickup and delivery, along with a gift certificate special: Purchase a $100 gift certificate and get an extra $10 certificate, or buy a $50 certificate and get $5 extra. https://www.spicekraftdelray.com

Table Talk: Right now, the diner-style restaurant on Duke Street is earmarking 100% of all profits from curbside and takeout orders to support Table Talk’s employees. Call 703-548-3989 to arrange curbside pickup. For delivery, order through UberEats, Grubhub or DoorDash.

Taqueria Poblano: Did someone say margaritas? Si, si! Taqueria Poblano is now offering take-home margaritas to accompany your dinner. Order from the eatery’s full menu – and take advantage of the city’s revised alcohol-sale policies if you’re so inclined. Call 703-548-8226 to order.

The Italian Place: Belly up to the window for pick-up service. Pack a picnic of sandwiches, desserts and maybe even a soup and enjoy the springtime weather from an appropriate social distance. Order online or at kiosks at the shop. https://theitalianplace.com

Yunnan By Potomac: North Old Town’s noodle shop is offering takeout with curbside pickup while its dining room is closed; restaurant delivery is an option for a very limited immediate area. For homes outside the immediate area, order delivery from UberEats, Doordash or GrubHub. https://www.yunnanbypotomac.com

Hope Nelson is the author of “Classic Restaurants of Alexandria” and owns the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.