Chef, New Name for Restaurant Coming to Former Monroe's Location

PHOTO of Monroe’s restaurant in Del Ray by M. Enriquez for Visit Alexandria; a new restaurant will be opening at the location this spring.

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- A former executive chef of the award-winning Fiola will be handling executive chef duties for the new restaurant in the former Monroe’s location in Del Ray, one of the owners said Tuesday.

Justus Frank, whose resume includes working his culinary magic at Fiola in DC, will be creating a Charleston-inspired menu at the new restaurant, Jeremy Barber, a partner in the business, said Tuesday.

Frank, Barber and Tim Irwin are all partners in the new restaurant at 1603 Commonwealth Ave., and have previously worked together. Many in Del Ray will remember Irwin from his time working at Evening Star Cafe. Barber and Irwin worked together at (now closed) Del Merei Grille and also at Eventide, where Barber was general manager and Irwin the bar manager, before it closed last fall in Clarendon.

Frank is a native of the area, attended James Madison University focusing on hospitality and tourism and is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. His most recent restaurant stints include helming Copperwood Tavern and Nonna’s Kitchen.

Name change

After another restaurant with the same name of Common Table was recently discovered, the restaurant will also be getting a new name, Live Oak, Barber said.

The new name is a nod to the Southern-inspired cuisine that will be on the menu and will also be incorporated into the decor, said Barber.

An award-winning restaurant designer, Griz Dwight, will be renovating the restaurant. Dwight counts Founding Farmers Tysons, Fiola and Iron Gate among his high-profile restaurant design projects.

Live Oak is aiming for a spring opening.