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Whether you're in the mood for pancakes smothered in syrup, an omelet made with all your favorite ingredients, or a sweet donut or pastry, you'll find something to satisfy your craving at one of the great breakfast spots around Alexandria, Virginia. So the next time you're getting ready to go out for breakfast, consider these area restaurants. more Fontaine Eating at Fontaine's will delight your senses. From their friendly staff to their fresh menu items, everyone will leave here satisfied. In fact, because they make everything to order, you can enjoy a delicious meal no matter what your dietary restrictions might be. They can prepare your food the way you want it, all you have to do is ask. You'll find some of the best crepes in the metropolitan area on their menu. With options like the Old Towner, which has ham, sauteed spinach, and caramelized onions, and the Zenist, which has lentils and spinach and tomatoes simmered in a coriander coconut curry sauce, everyone is sure to find something they love. Other items on the breakfast menu include a breakfast Cobb salad and the quiche du jour. Elizabeth's Counter If your idea of a perfect breakfast involves coffee and doughnuts, then head to Elizabeth's Counter. From slow-brewed Yama cold drip to classic vanilla lattes, the coffee at Elizabeth's is some of the best in town. If you want sweet and tasty doughnuts, you'll find traditional, old-fashioned, and extraordinary options on the menu that are all made fresh daily. Vegan doughnuts are also available and come in flavors such as caramel and toasted coconut, maple French toast, and grandma's strudel, just to name a few. Breakfast sandwiches are available for those that don't have a sweet tooth at breakfast. Del Ray Cafe Are you going to breakfast with the whole family? Then Del Ray Cafe is the place for you. This family-friendly restaurant uses local, organic ingredients to create some of the best food around. Even for breakfast, you can enjoy appetizers like a chocolate croissant or a slice of fresh homemade banana walnut bread. For your main course, get an omelet made just the way you like it, or, if you're feeling adventurous, try one of the DRC signature dishes. On the weekends, this cafe also serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Extra Perks Coffee Shop and Cafe Located in Old Town, Extra Perks Coffee Shop and Cafe serves delicious British and American fare for breakfast and lunch. While everything here is good, you can't leave without trying the Italian French toast that's made with ciabatta bread. One of the more unique menu items is the full British breakfast, which comes with two eggs, banger, applewood smoked bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast. If you don't make it here for breakfast, they also have a wonderful lunch menu. Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, so why not treat yourself to the best that Alexandria has to offer. Try all of these great restaurants and let us know which one you like the most. image via pixabay

There are few things as satisfying as a good pizza. Alexandria, Virginia, is home to many fine pizzerias and restaurants where you'll be treated to tasty pizzas prepared with fresh and homemade ingredients—and lots of care. more Del Ray Pizzeria Del Ray Pizzeria offers a laid-back, family-friendly setting where you can enjoy a good pizza paired with an ice-cold beer. The venue features a cozy bar area with a few TVs where you can catch some sports updates while sipping on a crispy pilsner or a hoppy IPA. If you're there for the pizza, however, move along to the roomy and clean dining space. At this joint, they don't serve New York- or Chicago-style pizzas but rather their own style—or styles. These include hand-tossed thin crusts, pan-handled thick crusts, and deep-fried calzones. In addition, you can now opt for a healthier, cauliflower pizza base. The menu features many unique and delicious pizza creations, such as the I Need Two Pears—with olive oil, mozzarella, blue cheese crumbs, caramelized pears, and balsamic mixed greens—or The Hills prepared with basil pesto, chicken, goat cheese, ricotta, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers. Lena's Wood-Fire Pizza & Tap If you like your pizza Neapolitan style and baked in a wood-burning oven, Lena's is your go-to pizza joint. Apart from their authentic wood-fired pizza, this restaurant offers an elegant and modern venue with lots of raw brick and wood surfaces. The dining room boasts a stylish bar area where patrons can sit down for a craft beer or a house cocktail, and there's also a welcoming patio outside for dining when the weather is nice. At Lena's, the pizza dough is made from scratch with only top-quality double zero flour and spring water, and you can rest assured that all toppings are fresh. On the menu, you'll find a combination of classic and innovative pizza options, such as the Pepperoni with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and hand-cut Pepperoni; and the Korean BBQ with Korean barbecue short ribs, gochujang, scallions, mozzarella, and pickled vegetables. Delia's Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza When the doors of the original Delia's opened way back in 1981 in Springfield, Virginia, it was an immediate success due to a special combination of Old World recipes and a welcoming family atmosphere. So prosperous was it that the family eventually decided to open a new Delia's with a modern flair in Alexandria. Besides a stylish venue with a gorgeous bar counter that looks like its made from gold, this pizzeria also offers mouthwatering Mediterranean fare. The menu is made up of diverse options, including Greek dishes like halloumi and grilled octopus as well as traditional Italian pasta and pizza options. The pizzas at this restaurant are baked in a traditional brick oven, and you can choose from gourmet creations like the Prosciutto White with ricotta, prosciutto, pine nuts, microgreens, and fig balsamic drizzle; and the Choro with spicy chorizo, prosciutto, hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and basil. Whether you like a pan-handled thick-crust or a traditional, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, or something in-between, Alexandria is home to a pizza joint that's perfect for you. image via pixabay

When you're out and about in Alexandria, Virginia, what better way to spend your time than to stop by one of the many dessert shops in the area? There are many innovative bakeries, ice cream shops, and candy stores selling all kinds of scrumptious treats. Stop by these sweet spots for a taste test. more Nicecream Not only can you taste the delicious ice cream at this shop, you can watch them make it right before your eyes. What began in a small home kitchen has now become a well-known establishment with some of the freshest ice cream in the DC area. They mix ingredients from local farms with grass-fed cream. Gaze in amazement as you watch them use liquid nitrogen to freeze the ice cream right in front of you so you can enjoy truly fresh ice cream. They have new flavors available each week for you to taste test. Check out their flavor calendar to learn what's available before stopping by. Past flavors include Nutella, bananas and cream, honey lavender, wild blueberry, and salted caramel. The Dairy Godmother If you're craving frozen custard, you'll love this Wisconsin-style frozen custard joint. The Dairy Godmother offers several unique flavors that change each day. They use a frozen custard machine that briefly beats air out of the custard before pushing it into a waiting bucket and serving it. This makes the custard denser and extra creamy. You'll notice the difference, as their frozen custard tastes fresher and fuller than most. Their flavor forecast calendar lets you know which new flavor they're featuring each day. They've previously served mint brownie, cookies 'n cream, chocolate peanut butter, and funfetti. Don't feel bad eating your custard in front of your pup as the shop has two puppy pops created from yogurt and peanut butter. Your dog will love the tasty banana or pumpkin flavors that are safe for them to digest. Buzz Bakeshop Looking for tasty treats in a relaxing atmosphere? Buzz Bakeshop is a great spot for you. They have a friendly staff that greets you the moment you step in the door and assists you in picking the perfect dessert. You have a large menu to work with from brownies to cookies to cupcakes. They even have equally delicious options for their gluten-free and vegan customers like banana walnut muffins and vegan chocolate chip cookies. You can also choose one of their specialty cakes to bring to your next event. Blüprint Chocolatiers To satisfy all your chocolate cravings, head to Blüprint Chocolatiers. They're a cute little chocolate shop with production on the bottom floor and their retail shop on the top floor. You have a wide variety of chocolates and other candies to choose from when you step into the shop. Not only do their chocolates taste wonderful, but they're artistically designed to look visually appealing as well. They have a large mixture of both classic and unique flavors like mocha, minty mint, lavender honey, raspberry, and vanilla bean. Alexandria is a great area to try unique and savory treats. No matter which dessert option you choose, any of these spots are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. image via pixabay

Are you visiting Alexandria, Virginia, and looking for the perfect ethnic restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat? Or maybe you're an Alexandria resident on the hunt for your next favorite ethnic eatery. No matter your reason, these ethnic restaurants won't disappoint. more Royal Nepal Royal Nepal is located at 3807 Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria and boasts fresh farm-to-table Nepalese Indian cuisine that is locally sourced and seasonal, so it's guaranteed to be delicious. The elegant yet casual dining area is Indian inspired and offers an ambient environment that you won't find anywhere else. Royal Nepal has several dishes that are loved by regulars and new visitors alike, including the Nepali Thali, free-range chicken curry, Tandoori salmon, and chicken tikka masala. For a lighter meal, consider one of the restaurant's starters. Favorites among their starter menu include aloo sadheko, oven-roasted wild boar, yak chili, and chicken chhoela. To finish things off, enjoy one of their decadent desserts, such as the Royal Nepal sikarni, warm chocolate melting cake, or the rasmalai. Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant offers vegan, vegetarian, and authentic meat that is Ethiopian inspired and always fresh. Hawwi has menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, and you even have the option to bring your own bottle of wine to drink while you dine. Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant strives to provide only the freshest meals and prides itself on sourcing much of its food from local farmers. Favorite main-course menu items include dereck tibs, awaze chicke tibs, fish goulash, and miser wot and beef alicha. Appetizers you can enjoy include lentil sambusa, shiro and timatim fitfit, and falafel hummus. They even have a dessert menu to satisfy your sweet tooth. Choose from chocolate cake, rice pudding, or baklava to finish off your authentic Ethiopian meal. Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located at 1125 Queen St. in Alexandria, Virginia. Namaste Namaste is a locally owned restaurant that specializes in Indian and Himalayan/Nepalese foods. Namaste strives to provide guests with an unforgettable and unique dining experience through creative international food and hospitality that you simply can't find at larger restaurants. All Nepalese and Indian delicacies are personally created by chef Nabin K. Paudel and include vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options. They offer regular menus as well as a menu of the day, which includes rotating specialties such as raj kachori, samosa chat, aloo papadi chat, and aloo tikki. On their main menu, guest favorites include lamb pasanda, malai kofta, chilly momo, and a variety of specialty naans. Dessert options include authentic Indian and Nepalese varieties such as Kesari Kheer, rasgulla, gajar halawa, and gulab jamun. Enjoy one of the delicious Namaste cocktails while you eat, like the Dirty Mother or Almond Delight, or try a tasty non-alcoholic specialty beverage such as a mint lassie or masala tea. Namaste is located at 6138 Rose Hill Drive in Alexandria. Are we missing one of your favorite local ethnic restaurants? If so, let us know! In Alexandria, we are always looking to expand our palate with new and exciting ethnic eats. image via pixabay

Do you want to impress your spouse, family, and friends with your cooking skills and some new dishes? Have you ever considered taking cooking classes but weren't sure where to start? If your answer to these two questions is "yes," continue reading for information on where and when you can take lessons and step up your cooking skills. more Sur La Table There is nothing like learning to cook, but sometimes you need to be right there in the kitchen with the teacher and not watching a video online. Sur La Table has locations near you where you can get the hands-on lessons you need to become a proficient cook. Classes include but are not limited to American Doughnut Workshop, Date Night: Winter in Paris (cast iron steak, truffle mashed potatoes, pear-hazelnut salad, chocolate mousse), Great British Baking (Victoria sponge cake, sticky toffee pudding, sausage rolls), and Perfect Spanish Paella (chicken and chorizo paella, Marcona almond-manchego-kale salad, Spanish flan). Classes are open to all skill levels. You are also required to be hands-on. The classes are capped at 16 students that usually work in groups of four, ensuring that everyone gets personal attention and guidance. Each class is between two and two and a half hours and requires you to stand and cook the majority of that time. Classes are held in-store, and you can check their website to find a location near you. Cozymeal Each cooking class that Cozymeal offers is considered as an experience. It is simple to find a place near you to experience a Cozymeal cooking class. Each class is taught by a professional chef, ensuring that you get the most out of the time you spend cooking. Finding an experience is as simple as using the Cozymeal online search by selecting the type of experience you are looking for and a date range. Once you find what you are looking for, you book and enjoy it. Classes include Fresh and Seasonal Italian, Fiesta de la Casa, Traditional Vegetarian Indian, Parisian Steak Dinner, The perfect Birthday Cake, and much more. Narrow down your interests and find the cooking class you are looking for today with Cozymeal. CulinAerie Located in downtown Washington D.C. is CulinArie, a destination location for those who want to enhance their cooking skills. Their instructors have an average of 15 years of experience in their respective fields bringing unique flair and talent to the kitchen. CulinArie's state-of-the-art kitchens provide for optimal cooking and learning and have sleek commercial equipment and flat-screen televisions for easy viewing. They offer classes for basic techniques and more intensive culinary skills. Contact them today for more information. These are a few of the places near Alexandria, Virginia, where you can take cooking lessons to improve your culinary skills. You can choose to partake in single dish classes or pursue a 12-week Masters series depending on your goals. No matter what you decide, you can locate a cooking class that suits your needs in the Alexandria area. image via pixabay