ALEXANDRIA, VA — An array of restaurants serving foods from Indian to French, American and everything else Del Ray offers took part in the annual Taste of Del Ray Sunday.
The Del Ray Business Association’s popular event at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center field sold out to around 500 general admission attendees and 50 VIPs with early admission. Spice Kraft Indian Bistro’s Dhai Puri won the Judge’s Choice Award as well as the People’s Choice Award determined by attendees.
Other Judge’s Choice Awards went to Kaizen Tavern for miso pork basil fried rice in second place, Market2Market for meatball sliders, chickpea salad, and homemade lavender lemonade in third place, and Bella Napoli for Italian almond cake as an honorable mention.
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Bella Napoli took second place in the People’s Choice Award for its assortment of Italian goods, including lobster ravioli, cheese ravioli, chicken Marsala, chicken Parmesan, Italian almond cake and cannoli. Third place was a tie between Del Ray Cafe for its cold corn soup with crab, croque monsieur, and choquettes with chocolate or raspberry sauce, and Northside 10 for its mustard BBQ shrimp over smoked gouda grit cake with smoked Cajun Maque Choux.
There were at least 12 participating restaurants: Bella Napoli, Cheesetique, Del Ray Cafe, Del Ray Pizzeria, District Biscuit Company, Hops N Shine, Kaizen Tavern, Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, Northside 10, Pork Barrel BBQ, Taqueria Poblano, Spice Kraft Indian Bistro and St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub/Market 2 Market.
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With so many choices, it’s hard to go wrong. Patch Editor Emily Leayman sampled foods and shares her top 5 favorites. Even if you didn’t make it to the event, it’s worth stopping by these restaurants to enjoy their tasty creations.
1. Spice Kraft Indian Bistro’s Dhai Puri
It was easy to see why the Dhai Puri won the hearts of judges and attendees alike. The restaurant described the dish as a “burst of flavors” showcasing the tanginess of tamarind, spiciness of chili, coolness of yogurt and crunchiness of the puri outside shell.
This bite-sized snack had creamy spiced mashed potatoes and chickpeas and was topped with mint and tamarind chutney caviar and mango tuile, creamy yogurt and spices. An edible mango tulip on top helped make the dish both delicious and aesthetically pleasing.
Spice Kraft Indian Bistro is located just across the street from Taste of Del Ray at 2607 Mount Vernon Avenue.
2. Bella Napoli’s Italian varieties
Bella Napoli brought back its 2022 Judges’ Choice Award-winning lobster ravioli and other Italian specialties. Guests faced one of the event’s longer lines to get their hands on Bella Napoli’s sweet and savory options.
The lobster ravioli was a highlight thanks to its creamy sauce and subtle lobster filling. The chicken Marsala was tasty paired with tender chicken, and the chicken Parmesan delighted as a classic Italian comfort food. If that wasn’t enough, foodies could come back for a sweet treat like the Italian almond cake and cannoli. Overall, Bella Napoli should get credit for offering numerous tastes, all of which tasted delicious.
Diners can find these and other Italian specialities at Bella Napoli, 1310 Mount Vernon Avenue.
3. Taqueria Poblano’s birria chalupa
Taqueria Poblano served up its take on Mexican favorite birria, a tender, stew-like beef. The restaurant’s birria chalupa was flavorful without being spicy for those who prefer more mild Mexican cuisine. The quajillo chili-braised beef was packed with toppings of cheese, onion, and cilanto along with a savory sauce to pour on top.
Guests can find this and more at Taqueria Poblano, 2400B Mount Vernon Avenue, which is often named as a favorite for margaritas in Northern Virginia.
4. Market2Market’s Lavender lemonade
A refreshing cup of lemonade was just what Taste of Del Ray attendees needed on a hot and, at times, sunny day. The lavender lemonade tasted like freshly squeezed lemons paired with the St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub’s own homemade lavender syrup.
In addition to the drinks, the restaurant’s meatball sliders were a perfect option for everyone, including children who attended Taste of Del Ray.
Diners can find the drinks as seasonal specials at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, which is next to the Market2Market deli run by the same owners. St. Elmo’s also has locations in the Old Town North and Fairlington neighborhoods.
5. Del Ray Cafe’s choquettes with chocolate or raspberry sauce
Choquettes are a returning favorite for Taste of Del Ray. These pastries are baked rather than fried, giving them a light taste. Attendees could get them with chocolate or raspberry sauce to dip them in, but the raspberry sauce was especially tasty due to its strong berry flavor. Paired with the cold corn soup with crab or the croque monsieur ham and cheese sandwich, Taste of Del Ray attendees got a feel for the sweet and savory from this restaurant.
Del Ray Cafe offers desserts, daily brunch and dinner at 205 E. Howell Avenue.
Participating restaurants and tastes
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