By Emily Cook
“What Old Town was missing was a place where you can come wearing shorts, a T-shirt and a pair of sandals and have a great cocktail and really, really good Southern food,” says Brian Rowe, the executive chef of the forthcoming Magnolia’s on King. This tribute to Southern hospitality will open tomorrow in Alexandria, replacing the short-lived Olea, which closed its doors in late March.
Beyond the pineapple chandelier and Charleston-inspired tropical ceiling fan, Rowe plans on bringing a mantra of hospitality to his customers’ tables. “I plan on spending as much time on the floor as I possibly can,” Rowe says. “I like to talk to customers. I like to hear what’s said.”
With 35 seats, the first-floor dining room, which will serve dinner and Sunday brunch, will allow for this level of intimacy. The menu offers dishes such as deep-fried oyster po-boy sliders served with blackened aioli; Denver steak with green peppercorn crust; and bison meatloaf with pan gravy and mac and cheese. “I had somebody offer me their hand in marriage over the bison meatloaf the other day, so I’m pretty sure we’re going in the right direction,” says Rowe.
A bar and lounge with craft cocktails and small plates will claim the second floor. Mixologist Zachary Faden, formerly of Rogue 24, will be pouring 12 housemade specialty cocktails such as the Magnolia’s Old Fashioned, with Rittenhouse Rye, pineapple syrup, angostura bitters and Fee Brothers cherry bitters, and 15 wines by the glass.
Pastry chef Hans Fogleman, previously of Arlington’s Bayou Bakery, will serve s’mores bread pudding with torched marshmallows and whiskey caramel; bananas foster pudding served with bruleed bananas; and a chocolate truffle cake that Rowe describes as a “labor-intensive four-day process … but absolutely delicious.”
Owner Steve Fogleman and his team of chefs and mixologists characterize the new restaurant as Southern-immersion cuisine.
“When you walk into our Palm Lounge, we want you to think you’re in Charleston. When you take the first bite of shrimp and grits, I want you to think New Orleans. When you try my beignets for brunch, I want you to think, ‘oh, my God, Cafe Du Monde,’” Rowe says. “Really we want you to feel like you’re at your grandmother’s house for summer vacation.” / Opening July 1 with 10 percent discounts on food (not drinks) until July 4; Magnolia’s, 703 King St., Alexandria
