Taste Of Del Ray 2022: See Participating Restaurants' Dishes

ALEXANDRIA, VA — From Friday to Sunday, foodies will taste their way through Del Ray during the 13th annual Taste of Del Ray. Restaurants have announced their food entries for the event as they compete for Judge's Choice and People's Choice Awards.

Each participating restaurant could offer up to three food entries sold for $5 each. Cocktail pairings will be offered at some restaurants but will not be judged. A panel of judges will choose the Judge's Choice Awards, and registered attendees will receive an online ballot to vote for the People's Choice Awards.

Similar to last year's event, attendees will purchase and pick up food tastes at restaurant locations. A sold-out VIP reception on Thursday will precede the three-day event. Depending on the restaurant, dine-in or carryout options may be available.

Here are the food entries and cocktail pairings at each restaurant:

Sweet Relief (formerly Smallcakes NOVA): 1506 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Chocolate Merlot cupcake, moscato cupcake

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro: 2607 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Avocado banana and beet chaat, butter chicken taco
• Mango and ginger wine margarita, masala lemonade

Junction Bakery & Bistro: 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Mojo mac and cheese, lemon buttercream cake
• Old Fashioned, Junction House Sangria, Love Potion #9

Del Ray Pizzeria: 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Fried green tomato and grilled shrimp with pimento cheese and remoulade, stuffed avocado, pan seared scallop with japelino lime
• Ranch water

Stomping Ground: 2309 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Sticky maple bacon biscuits with pecan crumble
• Benton's Bacon Smoked Bourboun Old Fashioned, Coors Banquet Beer

Evening Star Cafe: 2000 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Buffalo pig wings (riblets)
• Spring sangria

Matt and Tony's: 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Cornflake French toast with pecan syrup, shrimp and grit cake with andouille gravy, peanut butter rice crispy bar

Taqueria Poblano: 2400 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Crispy birria taco

Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza and Tap: 401 E. Braddock Road

• Seven-layer lasagna
• House Cabernet Sauvignon

Hops N Shine: 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Buffalo wings with choice of rubs and sauces, Bavarian pretzel bites, totchos
• Del Ray Breeze, Banana Pudding Espresso Martini

Northside 10: 10 E. Glebe Road

• Fried green tomato sliders
• Frozen black cherry sangria

Cheesetique: 2411 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Mac and cheese bites
• Summer sangria

Bella Napoli: 1310 Mount Vernon Avenue

• Ravioli, chicken piccata, small cheese pizza
• Sangria, Italian martini

Pork Barrel BBQ: 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue

• BBQ nachos

Swing's Coffee Roasters: 501 E. Monroe Avenue

• Beloved Halcyon Latte

Last year's winners were:

People's Choice

• 1st Place: Stomping Ground, Cheddar Blue Corn Grits with a Pork Ragu
• 2nd Place: Spice Kraft, Raj Kachori Chaat (Indian Street Food)
• 3rd Place: Junction Bakery & Bistro, Chiquito Cubanos

Judges' Choice

• 1st Place: Evening Star Cafe, Local Coffee Custard
• 2nd Place: Pork Barrel BBQ, White Chicken Chili
• 3rd Place: Live Oak Restaurant/Elo's Italian Pop-Up, Meatballs made with veal, pork, & beef, with creamy polenta, Pomodoro sauce, and Pecorino
• Honorable Mention: Swings Coffee Roasters, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Nitro Draft Latte
• Honorable Mention: Del Ray Pizzeria, Baked Avocado with Fried Egg & Cheddar