Irish Import: Restaurant Eve Chef Cathal Armstrong
WHEN HE OPENED lush, locavore temple Restaurant Eve (110 S. Pitt St., Alexandria; 703-706-0450) in 2004, Irish-born chef Cathal (the T is silent) Armstrong put Old Town Alexandria on the culinary map. Not one to rest on his reductions, the 2006 Food and Wine best new chef has since become the force behind three other neighborhood foodie destinations: the Majestic Cafe (911 King St., Alexandria; 703-837-9117), Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper and speakeasy P/X (both at 728 King St., Alexandria; 703 299-8384). We caught up with the busy cook about what he digs in his adopted hometown.
» EXPRESS: Why’d you choose Old Town for your restaurants?
» ARMSTRONG: We were looking to open an Irish country inn. [My wife] Meshelle has lived in Alexandria since she was about 6 years old, but we initially discounted it, because we assumed we wouldn’t be able to afford the rent. We were fortunate to find this location. It has the mood we were trying to achieve and a long, interesting history.
» EXPRESS: Now that you’re here, what do you like about Alexandria?
» ARMSTRONG: Old Town reminds me of an Irish town — Dublin to a certain extent. It has an older, historic feel where everybody knows everybody. It’s a tight-knit community. And the people of Alexandria are very food- and wine-savvy. They love eating out.
» EXPRESS: Where do you eat and drink around Old Town, besides your own restaurants?
» ARMSTRONG: Brabo (1600 King St.; 703-894-3440) has great food. We watch rugby matches at O’Connells (112 King St.; 703-739-1124). The people of Murphy’s (713 King St.; 703-548-1717) are always gracious. The place has got history, and it’s great for a pint of Guinness.
» EXPRESS: What’s needed in Old Town?
» ARMSTRONG: Pizza is missing. I hear a rumor that it’s coming, though. Generally, I think there’s always room for more in the restaurant scene here. I think more restaurants attract more clientele. When you have a reputation as being a foodie town, you attract diners.
» EXPRESS: Where do you do your shopping?
» ARMSTRONG: La Cuisine (323 Cameron St., Alexandria; 703-836-4435) is a fantastic store with a great selection of professional cooking tools. Anyone who loves to cook should go. There’s also a great shop by the waterfront called Decorium (116 King St., Alexandria; 703-739-4662) with design elements that we try to incorporate into Eve. I also go to the farmers market in season.
» EXPRESS: And you have young kids. Where do you take them in the ‘hood?
» ARMSTRONG: I am a huge fan of A La Lucia (315 Madison St.; 703-836-5123), which is great for dining with kids. And the kids love the Pita House (407 Cameron St.; 703-684-9194).
Going down to the waterfront with them is fun, too. Often, we take the dogs down, get ice cream, hang out on the pier and watch the boats go by.
Written by Express contributor Erin Hartigan
Photo by Marge Ely for Express
