The Garden In Del Ray Aims For Spring Opening

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A new outdoor Del Ray restaurant next to Charlie's on the Avenue is making progress toward opening. The Planning Commission will consider a special use permit for The Garden in Del Ray on Tuesday, April 2.

After Charlie's on the Avenue opened, the owners got approval for a new outdoor area. The owners decided to open the concept as a separate restaurant called The Garden in Del Ray.

Located at the former Greenstreet Gardens spot at 1503-1505 Mount Vernon Avenue, The Garden in Del Ray will have bar and table service entirely outdoors. The outdoor area was already approved with 64 outdoor seats, maximum hours of 7 a.m.-10 p.m., and on and off-premises alcohol sales. The indoor area will consist of a kitchen, storage, service and bathroom areas, but there will not be indoor seating.

The Garden in Del Ray will also have an area with yard and table games, TVs and outdoor speakers. No live entertainment is proposed.

A city staff report says "this proposal would not only provide additional capacity for outdoor dining, it would also enhance the active atmosphere along Mount Vernon Avenue, add jobs, and increase the commercial tax base."

The Garden in Del Ray owners are the team behind Live Oak Restaurant, which opened in 2016, and Charlie's on the Avenue, which opened last year. The new restaurant has been under construction and is aiming for a spring opening, according to Visit Alexandria.