Elo's Italian To Close In Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Elo's Italian, the reimagined concept of Live Oak Restaurant, will close at the end of March in Del Ray.

The owners, Chef Justus Frank and Jeremy Barber, made the announcement Tuesday via social media. Elo's Italian was first Live Oak was temporarily closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, Elo's Italian was introduced as a pop-up in spring 2021. March 31 will be the last day of business for Elo's Italian at 1603 Commonwealth Avenue.

"It has been our privilege to serve you and your families in this location for the last seven years," said the owners in a statement. "The Del Ray community has embraced us and our multiple concepts and for that we are truly grateful."

The owners also thanked staff as a key reason the restaurant thrived in Del Ray. Frank and Barber's other Del Ray restaurant, The Garden, will remain open at 1503 Mount Vernon Avenue. They are soon opening another restaurant, Mill St. Draft Garden, in Occoquan.

Elo's Italian is named for Eloise, one of Frank's daughters, and has a logo featuring her silhouette. Last year, Frank told Patch the restaurant concept shifted from Live Oak's Southern-style food to Italian to provide more carryout and family-style meals during the pandemic. The concept became permanent in 2022 in response to customer feedback and the menu fitting neighborhood needs. The restaurant serves fresh pasta, focaccia flatbreads, meat and seafood entrées, charcuterie and other Italian specialties.

The restaurant space won't stay vacant when Elo's Italian closes. Washington Business Journal first reported that Tex-Mex restaurant Dos Amigos plans to open in the location. Dos Amigos is relocating from Springfield, where Costco plans to expand.

Dos Amigos announced via Facebook it will close the Springfield location on March 31 ahead of the move to 1603 Commonwealth Avenue in Alexandria. At the new location, the restaurant will be renamed Dos Hermanos. There is another restaurant called Dos Amigos near the Braddock Road Metro station.