Traditional American cuisine with a bit of international flair is what you'll find at this Old Town eatery. The Majestic blends exotic flavors with comfort food favorites for unique, delicious dishes.
Just off of King Street, the busiest road in Old Town Alexandria, you'll find The Majestic. It's a cool NoVA restaurant with a decidedly D.C. feel. Whether you're looking for a place for date night or a simple drink after work, you definitely need to give it a try.
ADDRESS: 911 King Street | Alexandria, VA
PHONE: (703) 837-9117
PARKING: free street parking, nearby pay parking garages
WEEKLY SPECIALS: Wine Down Wednesdays with half-price wine bottles all day
Courtesy of The Majestic
I met with General Manager Mike Rice, who walked me through the space and generously provided a sampling of some of their best dishes. Executive Chef Ulysses Cabahug has put together an eclectic bistro-style menu of small and large plates. Here is what I tried:
Roasted Cauliflower
This lovely side dish owes its unique flavor to a spicy tahini and herb dressing. Brighten it up with the fresh lemon and spend the next few minutes trying to figure out how to recreate this at home.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Served with smoked sea salt and wedges of lime, these were the perfect palate cleanser. Zingy and tender, salty and fresh, these charred peppers are perfect as a starter for the table as well.
Crab Arancini
Imagine that a really great crabcake had a baby with a crisp fried rice ball. Voilà, you've got The Majestic's signature arancini. It is bursting with sweet lump crabmeat and creamy fontina cheese and fried to a perfect crisp. Each one is topped with a dollop of garlic aioli, a savory shard of speck, and a single pea shoot garnish. Don't miss this beautiful appetizer!
Steak Salad
Generous slices of perfectly cooked steak were served on top of mixed greens with crumbled blue cheese, peanuts, and a coconut curry dressing.
Charred Spanish Octopus
There's a whole lot going on in this dish, but if you get a little bit of everything, it makes for an amazing first bite. The octopus is beautifully charred and tender while the mellow pee-wee potatoes are the perfect pairing for the aji amarillo sauce.
Tuna Poké Bowl
Ahi tuna is paired with a mixture of summer greens, faro, and crunchy almonds before being drizzled with a spicy aioli. Total zen in a bowl!
The menu is much more extensive, and I can't wait to get back to try even more. I feel like this would be the perfect place to bring my girlfriends for happy hour followed by an early dinner of shared dishes. The tables in the center of the dining room are easily pushed together for larger groups, so it would even be a good place for a family get-together. If the weather is nice, there are a few sidewalk tables for prime people-watching, or you could always belly up to the bar.
Whenever you go, be sure to try the arancini!
**All of the photos in this article are by Sarina Petrocelly unless credited otherwise.
Have you been to The Majestic? What are some of your favorite dishes? Let us know in the comments!