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Breakfast in Alexandria


darkstar965

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I'm looking for a quality breakfast spot somewhere in/around Old Town. One litmus test I use for breakfast places is, if they serve french toast and pancakes, do they offer real maple syrup? But that's not absolute. In the district, tabard (sunday brunch) and teaism are both mainstays. Just a place with tables and environment good for sit down and a conversation with decent food....if that exists?

Many thanks!

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Table Talk is a diner, so not comparable to Tabard Inn, *but*, I do enjoy a good greasy spoon cheap breakfast. The pancakes are very good, although I don't recall that they do french toast. If you want eggs done just as you like, a side of good hash browns, bacon and toast, it'll run you under $6.

Other than than, I would recommend that you check out Jackson 20's menu. They do seating outdoors in season.

eta: Pat Troy's does brunch Sat and Sun, and has been a dependable place for a great sandwich. Nice outdoor seating (which is dog friendly).

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Thanks for the reccs! I've had pretty good luck with Hotel Monaco's across the country but hadn't tried the one in Alexandria (Jackson20). I originally booked that but then switched to Brabo when I saw that recc because I've had some very good dinners there and had no idea they also served breakfast. Of course, they're in a hotel also so makes sense. In retrospect, Brabo breakfast was fine but probably not worth the price for me. Will write a bit about it on the Brabo thread. But thanks again for the advice; I was at a bit of a loss for a good breakfast idea and these did the trick.

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Thanks for the reccs! I've had pretty good luck with Hotel Monaco's across the country but hadn't tried the one in Alexandria (Jackson20).

I think Brabo was a better bet because while everything was fine and dandy at Brabo, the one time I went to Jackson 20, I came away feeling: 1. The food was less than just okay; 2. The food was really pricey for the portion given; and 3. It was a bit loud and hard to hear folks in my party.
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Try Royal Restaurant on St. Asaph at Madison. Been around for a LONG time. Their breakfasts are good (even the buffet on the weekends is good) and inexpensive.

Thanks--never heard of this one and a day too late for the need that prompted the request but I'll definitely check it out. Curious: is it "they serve real maple syrup with french toast, waffles or hotcakes" good?

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It's good, basic diner style fare with a slightly shabby ambience. I doubt it's real maple syrup, but the waitresses are friendly and attentive, the eggs are done the way you want, and the coffee keeps coming.

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Thanks--never heard of this one and a day too late for the need that prompted the request but I'll definitely check it out. Curious: is it "they serve real maple syrup with french toast, waffles or hotcakes" good?

what she said. It's one of those places that if you're a native, you've eaten there a 100 times. Not on anyone's list of gourmet dining places but great for those Sunday mornings that follow the "night out with the boys and I'm starving" events.

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I am meeting a friend in Alexandria for breakfast tomorrow. Does anyone have recent suggestions? Decent food but not terribly expensive. She is in from out of town so we would like to be able to sit for a while and catch up. and open on the Monday after Christmas..

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I am meeting a friend in Alexandria for breakfast tomorrow. Does anyone have recent suggestions? Decent food but not terribly expensive. She is in from out of town so we would like to be able to sit for a while and catch up. and open on the Monday after Christmas..

Okay, I'm going to wing this because I think we're talking about just a few hours from now. Go to any hotel (Jackson 20 in the Hotel Monaco, for instance), and they should be able to scramble some eggs. For more "character," try Royal restaurant (established in something like 1906) - a dive, but used to be known for their breakfasts (I haven't been here in ten years or more, so I'd call to make sure they're still open for breakfast). There may even be something near the Lorien Hotel where Brabo is - hotel guests need to eat, and hotel restaurants are usually open. Good luck, and let us know what happened?

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We were at Royal a couple of weeks ago. The breakfast buffet is going strong and the coffee is almost continuous. (If you're really brave and don't mind shabby "un-chic", try Stage Door Deli at King and West St. It won't win any prizes for decor (or much of anything else either) but the ham and cheese omelets are decent and the coffee is always fresh (just don't go for the ambiance :)).

(NB: this is all predicated on my last visit of about a year ago. Like everything else on King St., it's quite possible that it's changed owners, gone upscale and charges $100 for a cup of coffee. YMMV).

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Thank you both! I found out this morning that the friend is staying closer to Shirlington than what I typically think of as Alexandria. So the friend she is staying with suggested busboys and poets. Hopefully they are open, if not, I'll have your suggestions as back-up. Thank you so much. This is why I love this board so much. I appreciate your help!

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You might also want to give Best Buns a call. On weekends, they open the door to the Carlyle Grand until around 10:00AM for seated dining. You can bring over your exceptional breakfast sandwich or pastry for a relaxed conversation in an environment worthy of far more expensive fare. They may have the same practice on a pseudo-holiday like today.

If you go, order the David's AM Drum Roll (turkey sausage, deftly fried egg, and mild cheddar cheese) and something of the espresso variety. Delicious.

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You might also want to give Best Buns a call. On weekends, they open the door to the Carlyle Grand until around 10:00AM for seated dining. You can bring over your exceptional breakfast sandwich or pastry for a relaxed conversation in an environment worthy of far more expensive fare. They may have the same practice on a pseudo-holiday like today.

If you go, order the David's AM Drum Roll (turkey sausage, deftly fried egg, and mild cheddar cheese) and something of the espresso variety. Delicious.

Ferhat Yalcin told me he swore by the croissants at Best Buns, and he was right - they're surprisingly good, and some of the best croissants I've had in the area (or at least they were a couple of years ago).

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