Alexandria Welcomes Carluccio's Italian Market and Cafe

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and other City dignitaries were on hand Tuesday morning to welcome the opening of Carluccio’s in the City, the first U.S. location for the company.

The ribbon-cutting was scheduled for Tuesday morning with Euille, Cory Waldron, U.S. CEO of Carluccio’s and Simon Kossoff, chairman and founder of Carluccio’s, all scheduled to say a few words. Others scheduled to be in attendance were Antonio Carluccio, founder of Carluccio’s, and City Council members John Taylor Chapman, Paul Smedberg and Del Pepper, as well as Mark Jinks, City manager of Alexandria and Emily Baker, acting deputy City manager. Ben Fiore Walker, Town Crier, was also expected.

Carluccio’s will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, the owners recently announced. Located at 100 King St., on the corner of King Street and South Union Street in Old Town, residents in the Washington Metropolitan area will experience what Carluccio’s calls the “true flavors of Italy that our friends across the world have been enjoying for years.”

Here are the hours:

• Weekdays: 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (the market opens at 6 a.m., the restaurant opens at 7 a.m.)
• Saturdays: 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (the market opens at 7 a.m., the restaurant opens at 8 a.m.)
• Sundays: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. (the market opens at 7 a.m., the restaurant opens at 8 a.m.)

From a quick espresso at the bar, to a leisurely al fresco lunch on the patio, to browsing the gourmet market with more than 80 imported products sourced direct from small artisan producers in Italy, Old Town residents, foodies and families alike are in store for a real Italian treat, Carluccio’s notes in a news release.

The Alexandria location is the first in the United States. Founder Antonio Carluccio and Chairman Simon Kossoff operate more than 100 restaurants internationally in the UK, Ireland, Turkey, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

They are excited to bring Carluccio’s to the United States. “Old Town Alexandria is the perfect location for our first U.S. restaurant,” says Kossoff, “We love being a part of this vibrant community and look forward to creating a neighborhood place that offers a welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Whether you’re grabbing a fresh pastry on your way to work, meeting friends over lunch, or shopping the market to prepare dinner for your family, there is something for everyone at Carluccio’s.”

Adds Carluccio: “My mission was to bring the authentic, simple flavors and products I remembered from my childhood growing up in the regions of Italy, to a comfortable, casual all day restaurant. Celebrating the tastes of Italy is what Carluccio’s is all about.”

Working with both UK based architect firm DesignLSM and Washington D.C. based architect firm, Studio3877, the first U.S. location was designed to embody a bustling, Milanese ambiance, offering a modern approach to dining while staying true to its Italian roots. Upon entry, guests will be greeted by a colorful retail and deli offerings in Carluccio’s market, with most items imported direct from Italy.

The 6,500 sq. ft. space has more than 150 seats for dining, including a main dining room which features a bar area where patrons can enjoy coffee, cocktails or share antipasti. The bi-level space also features an upstairs dining room with high ceilings and cozy banquettes, as well as an open kitchen with counter seating, where guests can enjoy a front row-view of U.S. Executive Chef Alfio Celia – trained personally by Antonio Carluccio – and his team hard at work. During the warmer months, 14 outdoor seats will be available to dine al fresco in front of the restaurant.

The Restaurant and Caffe:

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Carluccio’s promises something for everyone, any time of day.

• Breakfast: To start the day, guests can enjoy Carluccio’s Breakfast Magnifica, a choice of eggs with grilled smoky pancetta, sautéed mushrooms, tomato and toasted Italian bread, served with coffee or tea and a juice ($10); Carluccio’s Breakfast Sandwich with a fried egg, mortadella sausage and melted provolone cheese on ciabatta, served with rosemary potatoes ($7); Tegamino made with two eggs poached in a spicy marinara sauce with roasted peppers, topped with Parmigiano cheese and served with rustic Italian bread ($12); and Panettone “Italian Toast” made with Panettone served French toast style with fruit compote ($9).
• Lunch and Dinner will include a wide variety of options including a selection of Italian starters, antipasti and salads. Traditional pasta dishes include the Penne Giardiniera, made exclusively by Antonio with Carluccio’s imported giant Pugliese penne, zucchini, chilli and fried spinach balls, Parmesan and garlic($13); Daily house-made Lasagna Tradizionale featuring layers of egg pasta, béchamel and a ground beef and pork sausage ragu($14); Pasta con Funghi, Antonio’s recipe made with Carluccio’s imported egg pappardelle, shiitake, oyster and button mushrooms($14.50); and Trio di Pasta, a choice of three pasta dishes to share ($30). Fresh fish and meat selections include Branzino e Basilico,pan-fried sea bass fillets on crushed potatoes, basil and sundried tomato with black olives ($24); Zuppa di Pesce, a traditional fish stew with shrimp, clams, pollock fillet and mussels with spicy sausage, tomato, garlic, chilli and anise ($17); Osso Bucco, veal shank, slow braised in Chianti and herbs and served with saffron risotto ($29); and Tagliata di Manzo, thinly sliced, chargrilled 22 oz. flank steak for two, served with arugula, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, rosemary potatoes and tarragon mayonnaise ($50). The flank steak is grass-fed, grass-finished and antibiotic free.
• Desserts: Guests can end their dinner on a sweet note with a selection of desserts, including Carluccio’s House-Made Tiramisu ($7.50); Meringa con Panna al Frutto Della Passione, crushed meringue with a passion-fruit cream, fresh strawberries and a raspberry coulis ($8.50); and Formaggi, a selection of three Italian cheeses served with truffle honey, walnuts and Italian flat bread ($12). Carluccio’s cheeses are imported from all over Italy, including regional specialties and hand-made favorites.

PHOTOS courtesy of Carluccio’s