Beloved Alexandria Restaurant To Relaunch With New Chef/Owner

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Majestic, a favorite Alexandria dining spot, is about to relaunch with new cuisine from Chef Santiago Lopez, a classically French-trained chef and hospitality veteran.

The restaurant at 911 King St. posted on social media that it will unveil a new menu to patrons starting Friday, April 10.

Diners should look forward to a menu that has a Mediterranean nuance with "Seared scallops. Steamed clams. Black mussels. A saffron base that doesn’t rush anything. Chef Santiago Lopez’s cooking is rooted in comfort, but every bite carries a little more intention than you expected. New American cuisine, thoughtfully crafted," the venue said.

Lopez bought the restaurant from Alexandria Restaurant Partners, where he spent years developing his skills, leadership style, and culinary voice, according to a news release. Through his work with ARP, he gained hands-on experience in building menus, leading teams, and understanding what it takes to operate successful neighborhood restaurants.

“This restaurant has always been special to this community, and my goal is to create a place that feels familiar and welcoming, but also exciting and intentional,” Lopez said. “I’ve poured myself into every part of it. From the food to the atmosphere, focusing on bright, balanced flavors and thoughtful ingredients to create a place that feels welcoming, exciting, and worth returning to again and again.”

Lopez’s new menu reflects classic French foundations brought to life with Mediterranean elements such as preserved lemons, cumin, sumac, za’atar, fresh herbs, and citrus.

The result is New American cuisine that feels both comforting and contemporary: balanced, herb-forward, and designed to open the palate rather than overwhelm it, the restaurant said. Fresh salads, carefully prepared seafood, housemade pastas, and refined takes on classic favorites sit alongside signature plates that encourage guests to gather, share, and linger.

The new menu showcases this philosophy throughout, with offerings ranging from saffron P.E.I. mussels and duck and pancetta dumplings with butternut squash crema to lobster pot pie with preserved lemon, mushroom risotto with porcini crema and truffle aioli, pan roasted dorade with fennel-olive relish, and roasted lamb shank with mascarpone polenta. Beloved staples like the Majestic burger and steak frites remain.

In addition to dinner service, The Majestic will offer lunch, weekend brunch, and weekday happy hour. The lunch menu highlights shareable starters, refined sandwiches, and lighter entrées, including artichoke and lobster dip, prime french dip, halloumi and salmon BLT sandwiches, and seasonal salads.

Weekend brunch brings together comforting classics and elevated specialties such as chicken and waffles with hot honey, smoked salmon and classic benedicts, braised brisket hash, blueberry pancakes, and florentine omelettes, alongside signature breakfast plates.

During happy hour, guests can enjoy specially priced small plates, salads, and shareable boards at the bar.

The interior of the venue has been revamped, as well.

"We’re getting close to opening our doors to the neighborhood and we want to make sure the people who’ve always made The Majestic what it is know it first," The Majestic posted Wednesday. "Reservations for The Majestic by Chef Santiago Lopez are now live."

A link on the restaurant's website takes patrons to the Open Table reservation site.

Hours of operation are:

Lunch and dinner: Monday through Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Weekend brunch: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Phone: (703) 837-9117.

Website: https://themajesticva.com/