By: Becca
Brunch with my mother and my best friend goes something like this:
“I’m dating the man of my dreams. We’re going to get married and have lots of babies.”
“Ugh. I can’t even think about men. Who needs them?”
“I’m in a relationship with my kitchen. It’s quite a healthy one, actually.”
We were sitting in the back of the Warehouse Bar & Grill, an Old Town restaurant right on King Street that could easily be mistaken for a tourist trap from the outside. It was just the three of us, and we were quite cozy, sipping our delicious cappuccinos in the charming restaurant, and gossiping about life, love, and real estate.
It’s funny what happens when I put my mother with my girlfriends. There is no age—they are all my closest friends, the ones I share my deepest secrets with—when we’re around a table.
Warehouse is an older (“historic,” they say) restaurant, but it’s well kept. There are white linen table cloths and mahogany accents throughout. The walls in the entrance and along the stairs to the second floor are lined with original artwork—caricatures, faces of the local gentry, some three-dimensional, in squares.
The name doesn’t do the place justice. This is not a warehouse, nor is it a bar-and-grill-type pub. At first impression, it’s a café of sorts, with a long bar connecting two dining rooms.
The service was fantastic. Our waiter was exceptionally attentive and kind. In fact, the service was so good it made us overlook the flaws in the food. He just swept us off our feet with his charm. Our coffee was refilled without asking, our plates whisked away without us even noticing. It made the brunch flow smoothly—and it’s wonderful when you don’t have any interruptions to a meal, especially when you’re in the thick of some good gossip.
With your brunch order, you get a choice of champagne with strawberries, or strawberries and cream with powdered cinnamon on top. I got the champagne, which was warm and tasted a bit like the bottle had been open for a day or two. But, even though it was no ice cold Veuve Clicquot, it was still a nice complimentary touch to the meal.
The strawberries and cream dish was so simple and refreshing. This should be served before brunch everywhere. It refreshed the palette between multiple cups of coffee and our brunch entrees. Also, they do leave a basket of bread slices on the table, but the bread is a bit tough, and the butter hard to slice into. Perhaps that’s their unintentional nod to tough French bread.
Warehouse claims it is expert in aged steaks and seafood, but really the menu showed it to be a southern Louisiana-style French restaurant. There’s everything from Po’Boys to Creole Alligator Stew to Crawfish and Shrimp Beignets.
The best part of the brunch was that the dishes came with a side of steamed vegetables—instead of the normal greasy breakfast potatoes. It was a great surprise, and we ladies felt slightly more healthy because of it. The eggs Benny was standard—the egg properly poached, with a Tasso ham hollandaise.
The Eggs Hussarde was similar. The New Orleans specialty was simply Eggs Benedict with the addition of grilled sliced tomato and a red wine sauce. Though, the tomato wasn’t really grilled. And, also, we suspect, it might have made the Bitch who ate it a bit ill later that day. Oof.
The open-faced omelet came covered with ruffle chips. They weren’t particularly spicy or tasty, but added a nice texture to the dish once they were broken up. The omelet itself was covered with onions and andouille sausage.
For dessert, I really wanted chocolate beignets, or some kind of fluffy dessert beignets. Alas, they had none on the menu—a big disappointment considering the rest of their menu is so Cajun. Instead, we ordered the chocolate hazelnut crème brulee, which was a beautiful dish, very rich, and perfect to share between three gossiping girls.
The Bitches say: B+ Great service in a welcoming restaurant with personality, average food but with a few creative touches.
Warehouse Bar & Grill
214 King Street
Alexandria, V.A.
(703)683-6868
Warehouse Bar & Grill serves Saturday and Sunday brunch.
By: Cori Sue
I fell in love with Charleston years ago, on my first visit while in college. A mere four-hour drive from Chapel Hill, Charleston was the perfect place for a quick weekend getaway– lovely southern charm, beaches, fun bars, delicious seafood restaurants, and, most importantly, great shopping. So, when I was there this weekend I decided to put together a shopping guide for you, lovely readers, should you choose to head South to the land of croakies, boat shoes, palmettos, and Lily Pulitzer.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Downtown Charleston centers around King and Market Streets. King Street has all your typical shopping– Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, Anne Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, BCBG Max Azria, JCrew– along with a few high end options– Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton and BCBG Max Azria. But, in the days of free-overnight-shipping -is-a-mouse-click-away, I seek not a mall brand but instead a unique boutique where I can pick up something special.
Jewelry
Hand Picked, Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
In the way of boutiques, Charleston, a true southern belle, does shoes and jewelry best. There are a variety of boutiques that sell all, or mostly, costume jewelry at afforable prices. Granted, some of it can be kitchy and tacky, but there are plenty of very cute, very affordable baubles to complement, or accent any outfit in your closet. And, of course, we are in Charleston, so each store has a section dedicated solely to pearls.
Hand Picked, Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
My three favorites are: Hand Picked, 333 King Street; Vanity Accessory Boutique, 370 King Street; and Willy Jay’s, 300 King Street. (Willy Jay’s also sells clothing but I strongly suggest you avoidit. But! Their statement earring selection is wonderful!)
Vanity. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
All three stores have dozens-nay-hundreds of jewels– statement necklaces, bracelets, earrings of all shapes, colors, sizes, and forms. They also offer great gifts and stocking stuffers that Southern boutiques do so well– hostess napkins, purse hooks, sunglass cases, and such.
Shoes
Bob Ellis Shoes. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
In the way of shoes, Bob Ellis Shoes is a Charleston shopping institution (in business for more than 55 years) and a shoe lover’s dream. The boutique, located at 332 King Street, carries men’s and women’s shoes as well as handbags and has a serious selection of the big three— Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo. Their selection is vast– with all types of heel heights, sizes, styles, and widths (for those with narrow or fat feet)– and they have plenty of cute shoes that we writers/”normal people” can afford.
Shooz. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Down the road, Shooz, 317 King Street, caters more to the twenty-something, trendier shoe shopper. The precious boutique’s carries predominantly cute heels and flats by Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Sam Edelman, Butter– along with a wide selection of Jack Rogers and cowboy boots (necessities for the Southern collegiate). Their selection is well thought-out, well laid-out and well-priced.
Clothing
As far as clothing boutiques, Luna is my happy place. A great boutique with a few locations on the Southeast — Charleston, Charlotte, Atlanta, and (yay!) Bethesda– the store is the perfect place to pick up a cocktail dress, sundress, great pair of designer jeans or a new set of gold statement earrings. Brands include– Trina Turk, Milly, Hype, Hudson, William Raste, Paige, and much, much more. Down the road, Biton, at 275 King Street, is a little daunting with its hard-core metro mannequins in Ed Hardy-esque “going out” attire. Despite this intimidation, upon entering, I was suprised to find a great selection of designer jeans, Missoni dresses, Marc Jacobs bags, and Bond No. 9 perfume. However, everything else in the store was ghastly.
Palm Avenue. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Lastly, no shopping trip would be complete without a trip to Palm Avenue, a Lily Pulitzer signature boutique. Yes, Lily Pulitzer. (When in Rome…) While most of their prints (such as this one) make many fashionista turn and run in horror (see below), I find a select few of their sundresses, such as this pink shift with gold embroidery, to be great “brunch dresses.”
Palm Avenue. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
However, I head to Palm Avenue not for the Lily but for the selection of Trina Turk, Calypso, Matty M, and occassionally Milly dresses located near the back of the store. (I lusted after many). The store is also great for gifts– a dress for my new baby niece or a pair of brightly colored reading glasses for my aunt in South Florida.
Gifts and Decor
Christophe Chocolatier. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Also in the way of gifts, it’s not a bad idea to bring some chocolates from Christophe Chocolatier, , located at 363 1/2 King Street, home with you to those you left behind. Owned by a French chocolatier and his wife, Christophe’s artisan chocolates are as lovely as they are delicious.
Christophe Chocolatier. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Chocolate high heels, Eiffel towers and bunnies give way to truffles and a wide selection of hand-painted chocolates whose bold flavors include Earl Grey Tea, Strawberry Marshmellow, Mango Rum, and many more.We sampled were caramel-sea salt, 72% dark chocolate, coffee, and praline (divine).
Pierre Deux. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
The loveliest interior decor shop is Pierre Deux, located at 279 King Street. The store is decidedly “French country” with lots and lots of toile. I loved the vanities, arm chairs and footed, striped couches. Even if toile couches aren’t your cup of tea, Pierre Deux is a great store just for browsing.
Pierre Deux. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
By: Cori Sue
When you’re exhausted from shopping and sightseeing in Charleston, S.C., (a must-visit on the East coast), head straight to Cupcake, 433 King Street, for a delicious confection.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Founded early on in the cupcake craze (in 2006), Cupcake is a treasure. The decor is delightful– pink and light brown argyle walls, adorable cafe-style seating, and the cupcakes are displayed in what appears to be a cupcake cart.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
The cupcakes are fresh, moist, delectable– and made with all-natural ingredients. At $2.75 a piece, they’re a whole quarter cheaper than most D.C. cupcakes! The flavors are absolutely crazy– lemon blueberry, mint chocolate chip, cotton candy, peanut butter banana fluff– even french toast! Below, see mandarin orange chocolate. I didn’t know you could create such flavors in a cupcake!
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
We had mocha (chocolate espresso cake with coffee frosting and an espresso bean on top) and banana butterscotch, which was deliciously unique.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Although Cupcake isn’t competing with D.C. cupcakeries due to geography, it is so lovely I thought it should be mentioned!
