HELP - trying to remember/find old restaurant in OT Alexandria (restaurants, versus)

[JJC99]

I hope you fine folks can help me out! I am trying to remember (or even find a website) for an Italian restaurant that I LOVED going to in Old Town Alexandria, 10+ years ago.

some characteristics of this place -
--classic/"retro" type italian restaurant. The Godfather could have been filmed here!
--i *think* it had the typical red/white checkered table cloths, but not positive.
--REALLY good food. I mean really good. and good portions.
--It may have been on a corner, or close to a corner. Unfortunately, I don't remember the streets very well (even with Google Maps help). It was probably well in between the river and Rt 1. (versus closer to one or the other)
--I remember there being a stand-up piano in the farther back "room". we didn't hear a piano player each time, but occasionally there would be.

i'm sorry if all of this is vague. I am trying to remember from 2000-2002. I just hope that restaurant still exists and is still the same.

Any help you have, that's great! If not, thanks for reading anyway!

[slduvall]

Sounds like it might be Il Porto - on the corner of King and Lee I think.

[Flamingo13]

There used to be a place across the street from the Fish Market that had a piano (and a player) - sounds like that might have been it? - slduvall, I don't think that was the name of the place I'm thinking of, but it might have been - it has been yrs. - it had full height glass windows.

[CAVA1990]

Perhaps one of these two that are still in operation?

Welcome to Landini Brothers, Inc.

Welcome to Trattoria da Franco ::::::

[Kembek]

All that comes to mind is Ecco.

[OrangeFish]

If it may have been Del Ray, perhaps it was Monroe's?

Monroe's - Del Ray, Alexandria - Italian Restaurants

[JJC99]

thanks for helping folks - definitely not Monroe's. and if it was Monroe's, it has had a HUGE renovation.

Not Landini Bros - that place is too upscale. Looks nice, but "our" place was more humble.
Seriously doubtful it was Trattoria da Franco. Looks like a good place, but not the one I'm looking for.

Looks like Ecco is gone now, so I'm finding it difficult to find any info on that place.

Looking at *some* of the pics of Pines of florence makes me think it could be it - more from the structure of the bar at the front of the restaurant. HOWEVER, "our" place was not teal blue, etc. Plus, I really don't think it was west of Rt 1. it was closer to the river.

I have a feeling it is long gone (unless it was Ecco!) it was not an upscale place. I could envision men in sports coats in it just as easily as couples in shorts/t-shirts. Matter of fact, I know we went there after a day all over DC (zoo, museums, etc) and I KNOW we would have been dressed comfortably instead of for a night on the town. but we were welcomed like anyone else.

Oh well. I have a feeling the only way for us to find it again is to walk the streets of OTA and see if we can find it again. I just don't know when we will revisit DC!

thanks for your help folks! If you come up with other ideas, i'd love to hear them!

BTW - please tell me the Ben and Jerry's that was on the water front is still there!

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by slduvall

Sounds like it might be Il Porto - on the corner of King and Lee I think.

I was thinking Il Porto as well - except I don't know about a piano in the back, I've only ever eaten near the front. They do have back rooms, though. Definitely on a corner, definitely old-style.

[kevbros]

Definitely Il Porto. Still good, but it was really good back in the day.

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by slduvall

Sounds like it might be Il Porto - on the corner of King and Lee I think.

I think Il Porto. I think I saw the Don eating in the back booth one time