Coming Soon: Brabo By Robert Wiedmaier And More

Adding to his two successful DC restaurants — Marcel's and Brasserie Beck — chef Robert Wiedmaier, at left, is opening two new restaurant concepts in Old Town Alexandria this February.

The Belgian-flavored Brabo by Robert Wiedmaier and the Brabo Tasting Room will be located next to Kimpton's new Lorien Hotel and Spa at 1600 King St. In the spring, a gourmet market called The Butcher’s Block, also created by the chef, will join the new eateries.

While its Old Town neighbor Restaurant Eve calls its more formal dining room the tasting room, the Brabo Tasting Room will be the more casual of Wiedmaier's dual concepts. The 45-seat tasting room will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving dishes like mussels with chorizo and fennel, slow roasted pork sandwiches with frites, and sharable items like charcuterie, artisanal cheeses with housemade marmalades and country breads, and seafood platters loaded with salmon pâté, ceviche, cod fritters and smoked trout terrine.

The 105-seat Brabo will feature Belgian cuisine with American inspiration and will be open daily for lunch and dinner. On the menu: roasted chicken in a tarragon jus, a 24-hour veal shank, filet with Stilton cheese, and grilled lamb tenderloins with white bean puree.

Fans of Brasserie Beck's Belgian beer selection will be glad to hear that both venues will feature brews inspired by Beck's award-winning list.

The forthcoming market will offer wine, Belgian beer, cheese, olives, charcuterie, bread and pâtés.

Photo by Len de Pas