:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59582797/Mia_s_VA_dining_room_.0.jpg)
New neighborhood eatery Mia’s Italian Kitchen joined Old Town Alexandria’s dining scene earlier this month.
Alexandria Restaurant Partners’ (ARP) new two-story establishment (100 King Street) features a long menu packed with meat and cheese options, hot and cold sandwiches, half a dozen pastas, and 12 Sicilian-style, brick-oven pan pizzas available by the slice (starting at $5).
Design accents across the 180-seat space include thick marble wraparound bars, neon-colored couches, studded leather banquettes, and high European-style doors painted a rustic red hue that open up to the street. An outdoor patio adds another 30 seats. Interior designer David Chenault is also behind the look of ARP’s Majestic Cafe and Clarendon’s racy Spanish-themed Pamplona.
Read on to hear what customers are saying, about two weeks into service:
The Curse Is Over News: Yelper Lori W. says, “The curse of 100 King Street is gone ... The spacious pizza bar overlooking the awesome pizza oven is large and inviting. The ‘slices’ are actually quite large and generous. Even better, they taste fantastic.” And Instagram user @oldtownpost wonders “Is the curse at 100 King broken? Think so! Service is great and it’s packed.” Google reviewer Mary Mease says Mia’s is good for “anyone who loves Italian food.” [Yelp, Instagram, Google]
The ‘Say What?’ News: Yelper Mary Kate W. was stunned by how loud everything was. “Upstairs was a slight improvement over the downstairs volume level but it was still quite loud — I would definitely keep that in mind if dining with friends who have a hard time with a lot of background noise,” she writes. And Toni J. concurs, noting “it’s nicely decorated but loud and frenzied.” And Yelper Jorge C. says, “The wide open doors/windows dining area is overwhelmingly noisy as there is alot of street/traffic noise (not to mention the background music, together with loud dining area conversations by patron because of the street noise).” [Yelp]
The Instant Regulars News: Yelper Kristyn R. says, “This place is definitely beautifully done! Great feeling at the bar and in the dining room. Check out the lounge upstairs as well. Very fun, lively place ... definitely going back there ... again and again!” Yelper Eric B. is “always looking for new places to eat and ran into Mia’s. Wasn’t disappointed. Food and service was incredible. I will be back often.” [Yelp]
The Don’t Overdo It News: Yelper Bryan K. reports on getting full fast. “Surprised, in a good way, how filling each of the starters were. The four of us really could have stopped at the 12 oz meatball (we got two). Our favorite was the bread loaf with cheese inside.” Google reviewer Wendy says she’d prefer if management lightened things up a bit. “Everything seemed very heavy. The portion sizes for pasta and the eggplant parm were ridiculously large with a price tag to match.” [Yelp, Google]
The Best Bites News: Facebook user Larry Tocio says “Andrew the [manager] was top notch service. Eggplant parm. was delicious!!! Very excited to try the Pane Al Formaggio on our next visit!” And Facebooker Sandra Dee says, as “a connoisseur of meat, I found the selections on Mia’s charcuterie tray refreshingly unique, high quality, and abundant in size.” Yelper Kahlee Y. writes that she “loved trying all the speciality cocktails recommended by our excellent bartender Dan. The silver dollar pancakes with blueberry compote were PERFECT!” Eron S. notes the pappardelle alla bolognese’s “wide noodles were clearly homemade and fresh. The braised beef and marinara was full of flavor with the right amount of tart (IMO).” [Facebook, Yelp]
