Date Night: Brabo in Alexandria

“Hotel restaurant” continues to have new meaning for the two us. Well-known Chef Robert Wiedmaier has brought us Brabo in Alexandria, again changing our previous impressions that you need to be staying in the hotel to visit the adjoining restaurant.

As you enter, a classic bar area welcomes guests with a full white table clothed restaurant awaiting just a few steps further back. The restaurant offers Belgian-inspired dishes that pull in a variety of locally sourced ingredients, creating some of the best dishes Old Town has to offer. With existing entrees priced in the $30 range, hearing Brabo was a new participant in restaurant week was the perfect excuse for us to stop in.

Restaurant week has lost some of the excitement in recent years thanks to discount websites like Living Social and Groupon who provide deals in abundance. When we look at locations to spend a night out during restaurant week we try to visit restaurants we haven’t in the past. Finding a place that has a menu well worth the $35.15 is also a consideration. When it came to finding the best deal, Brabo definitely put their best foot forward.

The drink menu was full of creativity and after a couple cocktails we both started with Lobster Bisque for a first dish.

Moving onto the second course, Al ordered the Braised Beef Chuck Paparadelle (Roasted Shitake Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, Red Wine Jus), and I went with the Roasted Icelandic Cod (Brandade‎ Cake, Savoy Cabbage, Olive Oil Emulsion). Though Al’s dish was our favorite, we couldn’t have gone wrong with either.

We also decided to split the dessert menu options, so Al ordered a Peanut Butter Toffee Waffle and I had the White Chocolate Ginger Crème Brulee. Al again had the winning dish but we definitely enjoyed both.

If you’re looking for a slightly more elegant dinner in Old Town Alexandria, Brabo is a great choice and overall the experience was a good one.

Did you go out for restaurant week?

Cheers!

Scott