Q+A with Junction Bakery + Bistro, Opening Soon in Del Ray

• PHOTOS: Junction Bakery & Bistro is preparing to open later this month in Del Ray. (Photos courtesy of restaurant)

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Nathan Hatfield and Noe Landini are opening Junction Bakery & Bistro in Del Ray, with an eye toward opening near the end of June. Del Ray residents are eagerly awaiting the new addition to the neighborhood dining scene at 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave. It will take the place of Mancini's Cafe & Bakery, a local landmark that closed when the owner, Barbara Mancini, retired from the business.

Patch caught up with Hatfield and Landini this week and found out a little more about them and their new restaurant.

Where did you grow up?

• Noe: Born in Alexandria, VA. Grew up in Alexandria mostly and spent the summers with my grandparents in Tuscany, Italy.
• Nathan: Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas.

When did you first become interested in a culinary career? What kind of food did you eat growing up? Who inspired you?

• Noe: I grew up working in my Dad and Uncle's restaurant. By the time I was 18, I told myself I wanted to do something else but I stuck with it to make money in college. I took on other jobs and internships. When my Dad and uncle expanded, I stayed on to help and then I finally left. I went to work for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and then went into business for myself. When my uncle announced he was going to sell the family business, I came back to Alexandria and bought it. I never looked back after that. I grew up eating real Italian food and everything else across the spectrum. My family inspired me to do what I love. My close friends and mentors also supported me along the way.
• Nathan: I became interested in the business while in college, I needed a job. I fell in love with the kitchen and just dove in! I have always loved food, always the kid who wanted the weird thing on the menu. My mother said I learned to cook out of survival. She was working to pay the bills and I was learning how to cook as a kid, watching her, experimenting myself, etc…

Does the restaurant business/interest run in your family?

• Noe: Yes! My dad opened his first restaurant in the DC area in 1974 called Italianissimo and then in '76, Il Pelicano. Finally in 1979, Landini Brothers.
• Nathan: It doesn't actually. I guess I just got lucky…

What kind of training prepared you for a restaurant career?

• Noe: From the ground up - blood, sweat and tears all the way.
• Nathan: I've always been detail-oriented, self-driven, and into food. Those in combination with a strong work ethic made me thrive in this world.

Can you tell readers about a few of the items that will be on Junction's menu?

• Noe: Nathan will get into that but I just want to say that the brioche is amazing. Great for a ham sandwich but you could even dunk it in your coffee... It's that good.
• Nathan: Look for fresh rustic breads, flaky pastries, and seasonal focused menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Crazy good coffee from Commonwealth coffee, including nitro cold brew on tap! So many other things…

What drew you to the location, were you looking for an opportunity in Del Ray?

• Noe: I've lived in Del Ray since 2008 and have always wanted to do something here. It is an awesome neighborhood.
• Nathan: Del Ray is such a great neighborhood, such a community. We really wanted to make ourselves part of the community and this space is going to give us that chance.

How did the two of you meet?

• Noe: We met through our mutual friend Tami; she's the day time bartender at Landini Brothers.
• Nathan: Tami, my really fantastic friend and favorite bartender, over at Landinis brought us together.

How would you describe the decor of the restaurant?

• Noe: 1950's Potomac railroad yard neighborhood meets Roman cafe in Campo di Fiori and a little splash of a cool bungalow living room in Del Ray.
• Nathan: Noe hit it on the head.

Did you have a designer help with the new look?

• Noe: We enjoyed working with Core Architecture and Design Group out of Georgetown. We've done several projects together and I consider them a part of our team.
• Nathan: Core out of Georgetown, such a good team. They really helped bringthis place to its full potential.

Do you have a personal favorite restaurant in the DC metro area and/or a favorite meal?

• Noe: I have a lot of favorite restaurants in DC. We can talk about the Thai food that Chef Armstrong has been serving at Restaurant Eve or the Ramen from Daikaya next to Bar Deco in China Town. Peking Gourmet Inn on Leesburg Pike for better Peking Duck than you can get in Peking. You also can't miss Fiola Mare in Georgetown, one of the prettiest restaurants in the city. I can keep going...
• Nathan: Favorite meal recently in DC, it has to be Alta Strada in Shaw, simple Italian food done amazingly well, plus they have killer pizza.

What will set Junction Bakery & Bistro apart from other restaurants?

• Noe: You can't get better, fresher bread anywhere else. You're plugged into a bakery while having a hip bistro experience breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's healthy, good food. Don't miss the cold press juice selections from Grateful Juice Co. who has built a juice kitchen in the back of the bakery!
• Nathan: Once again Noe got it.

Will beer/wine be available; if so, any you can tell us about?

• Noe: Well priced delicious boutique wines from all over the world. Many craft beers brewed locally and abroad will be available on tap.

If you have more details to share regarding employment, outdoor seating, hours, date of opening, please do.

• Noe: We are still hiring. Outdoor seating will be available. Hoping to open second or third week of June. We will open at 6 a.m. and close at last call.