susanmab

Hold up - it seems the restaurant will *not* be closing at the end of April.

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From: "Farrah Olivia by Morou" <info@farraholiviarestaurant.com>

Date: April 26, 2009 5:42:36 PM EDT

Subject: Farrah Olivia will remain open

Farrah Olivia Restaurant will remain open

(at least for the near future)

Farrah Olivia Restaurant will no longer be closing April 29th 2009. The new ownership of Balducci’s, whom is our landlord has allowed us to remain open while they figure out what is best for all parties concerned, in regards to our current location. They are willing to explore the possibility of us remaining their tenant. We love being in the City of Alexandria and are willing to do everything we can in order to remain here. The City of Alexandria and our neighbors have really supported us and we are proud to call many of our customers, our friends.

We are still opening, KORA, a new restaurant/bar/lounge in Crystal City (Arlington, VA) in the space formerly occupied by BEBO located at 2250 Crystal Drive. We are set to open early this summer. Morou’s brother, Amadou, formerly of I’Ricchi will be joining us in the kitchen. The restaurant will present a more casual concept.

We regret to inform any loyal customers whom have already made future reservations (after May 31st) - including reserved seats for events such as our popular Boutique Dining - that other arrangements may still have to be made and that we have to cancel this Thursdays Boutique Dining event because we were uncertain as to whether we would be able to remain open We greatly apologize for the inconvenience. All gift certificates received through Farrah Olivia can be redeemed at KORA but in the meantime, you at least have the next couple of weeks to redeem your gift certificates at Farrah Olivia.

We apologize for all of the confusion. We are doing our best to keep our customers and employees informed of the changes but it has been quite difficult due to changes management. We thank-you and our new landlord/neighbor for giving us the opportunity to continue business here in Alexandria

Sincerely,

Your Friends & Family at

Farrah Olivia Restaurant

Hey, thanks Daniel for setting this all up. I knew DCCK was a great organization, but getting inside there is a good reminder of just how great. I'll definitely be back, and will probably be able to scare up some of my less-foodie friends even.

It was nice to meet everyone. I'll check my calendar on the picnic.

what's the best on 9th st. these days?

Etete

If you're into the raw beef, the kitfo is some of the best I've ever had.

Closing 4/29 per Washingtonian. Story says they have a new restau-bar/lounge coming in Crystal City and plans to reopen Farrah Olivia in DC within a year.

I am very fond of Farrah Olivia, I hope to get back there one more time before they close. Years ago I worked in that space (when it was Sutton Place Cafe and then Blue Point Grill), so it's always a trip to be there.

The bacon appetizer.

I'm not all gaga over bacon normally, but this is simply amazing. Share it along with your other apps.

I got my bike out of the basement on Saturday, dusted it off, pumped up the tires, and went for a quick jaunt - that ended up being 20 miles. I hadn't ridden it in over two years, ouch.

Needless to say when my cycling companion suggested Hellburger as we were finishing up, I pedaled faster, exhausted though I was.

Sweet, sweet reward. yikes.

I had the diablo with gruyere - I'm not sure what possessed me. Gruyere is one of my favorite cheeses, but it doesn't stand up to the diablo spice. It was still mega-yummy, the cheese was still a nice texture addition.

My standby is still the au poivre with something blue, although considering how much I love the Blue Devil at RTS, I might have to try diablo with blue next time I have earned a Hellburger.

went there yesterday for lunch with a small group.

the carpaccio was very respectable.

Teaism!

It's fancy-pants stuff, but the tea part is very tasty, and when they don't over- or under- cook the tapioca it's a nice change from the super sweet milk tea that one usually finds.

Two words:

praline bacon.

As found at Elizabeth's in New Orleans.

unbelievable.

Big thumbs up on the new Alexandria TJ's space - I finally had a chance to visit it last night.

I was expecting more chaos from not knowing where things are, but I enjoyed just wandering the aisles a little and I did find everything just fine.

If one has *any* inclination to drink iced tea, their grapefruit tea is incomparable on a hot summer day.

This excites me.

Ha, see, this is why I don't go opening my big fat trap. Although I had heard that Bebo was moving elsewhere and there were plans for something else in the space.

A post on chowhound is reporting that Bebo is closed. Can anyone here confirm?

I can only confirm that I heard a while ago about what was going in the space next. Apparently at least the first part of that rumor appears to be true?

This is a good reminder that I need to see if I can salvage my grandmother's skillet. I'm sure it was washed with soap and water many many times over her lifetime. In fact, I'm not really sure why she had it - she didn't do a lot of frying, and I think she treated it like just another pan.

That said, it's been on the floor of a gas oven for...years now. Don't ask. I wonder, if I rescue it, will it respond to salt and oil?

OK, check!

thanks much.

Heading to NOLA for a few days next week. I lived there for years (moved to DC in late 2001), but I haven't been back since Katrina.

It looks like most of my favorite places are still there - the only two that I could find that didn't return were Gabrielle (one of the best dishes experienced during my six years there was had at Gabrielle) and Bella Luna. So I am determined to get back to my favorite (Bayona) and a few other places that made some great memories.

My question, though, is what's new? What's particularly good these days?

The new space is really nice. The line about the decor on the menu really might have to go!

The white seats are super sexy.

Biagio on 18th near Florida has some really excellent stuff - bars and bon bons.

Staff knows their chocolate well. I've put together a number of gifts there with their help and have never been disappointed.

This certainly does nothing to harm Chef Greenwood's reputation of being consistently intolerant of those with whom she disagrees.

Like when I got dispensed from Greenwood's for daring to ask (politely!) if there was any way a vegetarian could have dinner.

Ideally have dinner, walk somewhere. But we'll have a car, so driving is possible if there are no good walking options.

Anybody want to suggest a nearby bar/lounge where we (party of three) could retire after dinner to just chat and catch up? I guess on a Friday it's a tall order to look for a place where we might be able to hear each other, hmm.

A long-planned dinner with two friends who have never experienced the bliss that is dinner at Ray's coming up this Friday. I'm assuming we'll be dining at the present location? Should we expect down time between the two?

The two places I get to most often in the Crystal City area are Cafe Pizzaiolo (pizza, obviously, but damn good pizza at that) and Harar Mesob (Ethiopian), both on 23rd.

And yeah, hop on Metro and go to Ray's or Ray's. You won't be sorry.

Feeling patriotic is something I am not used to.

But it's feels good to be an American again. Right now I am really proud of my country. It's been a while.

Yes and yes.

I never thought I would see the day.