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Restaurateurs Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong are expanding their power base in Old Town Alexandria with Hummingbird, the new restaurant still under construction within the Hotel Indigo.
As first reported by Northern Virginia Magazine, the Armstrongs laid the foundation for this new project — which is currently projected to take up residence at 220 S. Union Street before the end of May — a while back, but only recently inked the final deal to make their fifth hospitality venue a reality.
According to a release, the forthcoming venture is expected to feature a main dining room defined by “an airy mood of blue, white and ash wood.” The “Nectar Room” is billed as a semi-private, lantern-lit retreat with seating for up to 16 guests that also spills out onto an open-air patio. “In the autumn months expect outdoor fire pits and blankets for guests,” Meshelle writes in the one-pager.
The menu favors the sea — Meshelle floats the idea of “an energetic bar and kitchen inspired by the American spirit of cherished traditions: clambakes and crab boils, fish fries and oyster roasts” in the release — specifically listing blue crabs from the neighboring Chesapeake Bay and prawns from Dublin Bay in Cathal’s native Ireland as core items. Ribeye steak topped with lobster meat is presented as one surf and turf option, while lemon chicken, and a mixed grill of meats and vegetables are intended to cater to landlubbers. There’s also supposed to be mini servings of milk and cookies for younger guests, while adults are welcome to indulge in sparkling slushies (think: fizzy wines, fruit infusions, and ice) from beverage director Todd Thrasher.
Once operational, Hummingbird is slated to serve breakfast Monday through Friday, lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner daily, and brunch on Sunday.
The Armstrongs and Thrasher are also putting the finishing touches on a trio of properties embedded in the sprawling Wharf complex, including Kaliwa, an Asian restaurant with a soft spot for Filipino cuisine, Potomac Distilling Company, Thrasher’s rum distillery, and Tiki TNT, Potomac’s companion watering hole.
