Cafe 44's Expansion, Rebranding To Jula's On The Potomac Planned Day Of Fireworks

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A waterfront restaurant's expanded space will open with a new look and name in time for the Alexandria birthday fireworks.

Jula's on the Potomac, an expansion and rebranding from Café 44 at 44 Canal Center Plaza Suite 401, will open on Saturday, July 8. The expansion space will be open while the existing Café 44 space will close for renovations. That phase of renovations is expected to be completed by late August or early September, and a grand opening will be planned.

The first phase of the expansion includes a bar and lounge with a raw bar, as well as a cheese and charcuterie bar. With a new commercial kitchen, the restaurant will have new menu options like steaks, burgers, french fries, and grilled entrées like chicken and fish.

When the expansion is done, the wall separating the expansion space and existing space will come down to connect them. Jula's on the Potomac will offer a 47-seat bar and lounge with views of the Capitol and river, 12-seat wine room, 74-seat main dining room, 22-seat booths called The Hideaway and the 46-seat Jula's Vueve Lounge indoors. The current 56-seat balcony and 32-seat terrace remain at the restaurant.

During the second phase of renovations, outdoor seating remains open.

Jula's on the Potomac will have private event reservations available along with regular dining. Its first major event comes on opening day, when Alexandria's 274th birthday celebration with fireworks is scheduled. Jula's will host waterfront balcony dining for the fireworks from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 8 with its new dinner menu and featured wine pairings from Belle Glos. The cost is $200 for two people and $400 for four people. The new bar and lounge will be open for walk-ins.

The USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration will be held from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on July 8 at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street. There will be a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, cupcakes, local vendors and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.