Hank and Mitzi's Italian Kitchen

"Hank’s Oyster Bar impresario Jamie Leeds is ready to finally open the doors of Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen in Alexandria, formerly known as Hank’s Pasta Bar, which has been closed for renovations since last fall. 'My mom, Mitzi, always wanted me to add pizza, one of her favorite foods, to my menu,' says Leeds, in a press release. 'And this new concept was my opportunity to honor her request.' The casual Italian neighborhood spot will indeed serve up individual pizzas (like the Mitzi, topped with mozzarella, provolone, and asiago), as well as pasta dishes (including a few from Hank’s Pasta Bar like linguine and clams). Diners can start their meals with small plates of grilled octopus or fried calamari to share, and Leeds’ family recipes made the menu too, as seen in 'Hank’s Meatballs' and Leeds’ mother’s own chicken cacciatore recipe." - Adele Chapin

"Hank & Mitzi’s, the pizza- and pasta-driven revamp of Hank’s Pasta Bar from D.C. chef Jamie Leeds, has closed 'for the foreseeable future' in Old Town Alexandria." - Tierney Plumb

"Restaurateur Jamie Leeds is rebooting Hank’s Pasta Bar, which closed for renovations last fall in Old Town Alexandria. At Hank & Mitzi’s, Leeds honors her parents with an Italian kitchen that focuses on pizza. Will Artley, an alum of Evening Star Café and Pizzeria Orso who was most recently cooking at short-lived English restaurant Scotts, comes on as executive chef. The one-time Chopped competitor also has experience cooking at the White House and Grist Mill Restaurant. Look for a new 80-seat rooftop patio to also debut in the spring." - Gabe Hiatt

"Hank’s Pasta Bar, which closed for renovations this fall in Old Town Alexandria, will get a second life as an Italian kitchen named after restaurateur Jamie Leeds’s parents. Hank & Mitzi’s marks two firsts for the Hank’s group: the introduction of pizza and the hiring of a chef from outside her restaurant company." - Gabe Hiatt

"Hank’s Pasta Bar is giving guests the seven fishes experience without the time commitment (or price) of a multi-course menu. The $34 bowl of spicy tomato linguine comes with octopus, clams, mussels, shrimp, squid, lump crab meat and catfish. It’s available through the end of December." - Travis Mitchell