Business Association Welcomes Del Ray Cafe

The Del Ray Business Association officially welcomed Del Ray Cafe to the neighborhood Saturday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included visits from U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th), Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and other city officials.

The restaurant, located at 205 E. Howell Ave., opened its doors earlier this month, serving a mix of cuisine that co-owner Margaret Janowsky referred to Saturday as a mix of “Virginia farm and French country.”

Janowsky owns the restaurant with her husband Laurent. The couple also operates in Old Town.

Featuring food crafted with fresh, local ingredients, all of Del Ray Cafe’s major business services were sourced in Alexandria—including financing, architecture, construction and signage. The restaurant’s first payroll showed that 80 percent of its employees live in Alexandria.

“The most important thing is the people of Del Ray,” said Laurent Janowsky. “They’ve welcomed us and supported us. … Let’s hope it stays this way for 20 years.”

The Janowskys had many family members at Saturday’s ceremony, including Margaret’s mother Patsy Ticer, the former Alexandria mayor and state senator, and Laurent’s father, who was visiting from France.

“We’re honored to have another new restaurant in Del Ray, a neighborhood that continues to be up and coming, growing and diverse,” Euille said. “It places like this that encourage people to visit the neighborhood. So come to Del Ray, particularly .”

For more on Del Ray Cafe, check out:

• Village Sprouts columnist Jessica Stubbs:
• DIY Del Ray: DIY Del Ray:
• DIY Del Ray: DIY Del Ray:

Have you eaten at Del Ray Cafe? Let us know your impressions in the comments section.