New Del Ray Restaurant Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar Opening In March

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A new restaurant is coming to the space formerly occupied by Charlie's on the Avenue and FireFlies in Del Ray. Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen + Bar will open March 16 at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue.

The owner of the restaurant is Matt Sloan, who has been involved with operations and openings for Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Daikaya and Matchbox Food Group. He most recently helped open Alexandria Restaurant Partners' Ada’s on the River and previously worked at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap.

Matt & Tony's draws inspiration from Matt’s great-grandfather Tony, who immigrated to the U.S. from Austria. Tony paid for the trip by cooking on a German ship and "jumping ship" when he got to New York. He went on to bake pastries and cakes at top New York hotels, and his rye bread was requested by President John F. Kennedy for his inauguration. Sloan hope's to bring his great-grandfather's spirit of hospitality to his own restaurant.

Matt & Tony's will focus on American comfort food. The menu includes all-day brunch, dinner, and a menu of cocktails, mocktails, local beers and wines. The restaurant has dine-in service only with 127 seats and indoor and outdoor dining available. Takeout and third party delivery will be open in the future.

"We wanted to make a place that is family-friendly, but could still be a good date night
or happy hour spot," said Sloan in a statement. "It’s been a long-time dream to open a restaurant with great food and even better hospitality."

The food menu comes from Head Chef Todd Miller, who used to work at Matchbox, Ted’s Bulletin and the former Agraria restaurant. Another member of the kitchen team is Sous Chef Anthony Engel, former executive chef for MMP’s 11:11 in Falls Church and former sous chef for the Washington Nationals and Mount Vernon Country Club.

Highlights of the all-day brunch include cornflake-crusted french toast with thick cut brioche, cinnamon egg custard, fresh berries and maple pecan syrup; gluten-free masa pancakes with corn meal, butter, mole maple syrup and berries; and Greek yogurt bowl with honey, toasted quinoa, granola, fruit and mint.

The dinner menu features classics like basked mac and cheese with cheddar mornay, crispy jalapeño and parmesan; country fried chicken with chicken chorizo gravy, peas, pearl onions and roasted garlic mashed potatoes; and meatloaf with turkey and topped with BBQ balsamic. Dessert options include peanut butter chocolate rice crispy bar; sweet potato donut holes; gingerbread bread pudding; and Tony's sacher torte, a Vienniese chocolate cake.

The drink menu includes cocktails from beverage director Michael Riojas such as Wild Goose Chase with vodka, apple, St. Germaine jam, Peychaud’s bitters and lemon and Phoenix with tequila blanco, hai chili, tamarind, lime and Cointreau. Brunch cocktail options include classics like mimosas and two kinds of Bloody Mary's as well as sparkling sangria and spritzes with sparking wine.

The previous restaurant, Charlie's on the Avenue, closed in early 2020 after a summer 2018 opening. The space had been occupied by FireFlies for over 15 years before the restaurant closed in late 2017.

Hours at Matt & Tony's will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are available through OpenTable. For more information and a menu, visit www.mattandtonysva.com.