Restaurants You'd Love To Bring Back In Del Ray

When you talk with locals about restaurants they miss, there's usually at least one place they can name. We asked Del Ray Patch readers the one restaurant they'd like to bring back, and responses came in numbers.

At the time of publication, we've received 30 responses. Places mentioned by multiple people included Del Merei Grille, La Piazza, Caboose Cafe, FireFlies, Monroe's and Catch on the Ave. We've also included other Alexandria restaurants outside Del Ray mentioned by readers.

Below are the responses with more information.

Del Merei Grille: The eatery receiving the most mentions was known for its twist on Southern food with signature dishes like frickles (fried pickles). It closed in 2010 due to redevelopment plans at the Calvert Apartments and retail strip at Commonwealth and Mount Vernon Avenues.

La Piazza: This Southern Italian restaurant was located near the Braddock Road Metro.

Caboose Cafe: Readers lamented the loss of Rhoda Worku's's Ethiopian food at Caboose Cafe. The restaurant closed in 2017 at 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue when Worku retired. The two restaurants that followed, SnackBar and Catch on the Ave, have also closed.

FireFlies: This restaurant hosted open mic nights, other community events and its famous Pajama Brunch at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue. The owners closed FireFlies in late 2017 after 15 years of business.

Monroe's: Known for its pizza, Monroe's operated from 1996 to late 2015 at 1603 Commonwealth Avenue. That location now hosts Live Oak Restaurant.

Pho King: This Vietnamese restaurant was also located in the Calvert retail strip closed for redevelopment.

Mancini's Cafe: Barbara Mancini's Del Ray staple for 25 years closed in 2015 as she retired. The space at 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue is now Junction Bakery & Bistro.

Catch on the Ave: Common Plate Hospitality's seafood-focused restaurant closed in December 2019 after nearly a year in business.

Charlie's on the Avenue: The restaurant replacing FireFlies closed after Super Bowl weekend 2020. The Garden, the beer garden opened next to Charlie's on the Avenue, remained open, as well as the owners' other restaurant Live Oak.

Los Amigos Restaurant: This Mexican restaurant was located at 1905 Mount Vernon Avenue, now home to Rosemarino d'Italia.

Georgio's Piatsa: This pizza restaurant was located at the Commonwealth and Mount Vernon Avenue intersection.

Honorable mentions outside Del Ray:

• Restaurant Eve
• Cafe Salsa
• Don Pablo's
• Cafe Ecco
• Geranio
• Eamonn's
• Santa Fe East
• Austin Grill
• Portner Brewhouse
• Steak and Ale