Gourmet comfort food in updated diner setting, Mediterranean avocado toast























"On a recent weekday night, this nearly century-old staple was the busiest stop along King Street, its decade-old makeover preserving Art Deco roots—tin ceiling, textured green walls lined with gallery-quality art, and soft crimson booths meant to resemble an intimate jazz club—while an open kitchen in back sends out American comfort foods for modern-day carnivores, vegetarians, and pescatarians. Some things haven’t changed, including the neon-lit vertical marquee dating to the 1930s. Starters like fried artichoke pieces with a pickled zing pair well with smears of whipped pimiento cheese on toast, and creamy crab Rangoon is a smart $6 bite. Regulars rave about the hanger steak frites ($36) and the meats across the board, from prime filet mignon ($59) to the namesake burger ($23); to sample widely, you can build a four-course dinner for $49 that spans oxtail baklava, mussels, and coriander-spiced salmon. The glam wraparound bar packs out for the popular weekday happy hour, but by 7 p.m. a nook usually opens up, and there’s a sense of history in the old-timey staff photos on the walls and the scent of real sunflowers and chrysanthemums arranged in glass vases at the bar and even in the bathrooms." - Tierney Plumb
"The Majestic has been a recognizable landmark in Old Town Alexandria for almost a century (it opened back in 1932). The ownership has changed over the years, but it’s still a cherished spot for locals and visitors. For weekend brunch, order the brisket omelette, overnight sourdough french toast, or the filet mignon benedict served with smashed crispy fingerling potatoes. And, crucially, you must leave room for a slice of the famous house coconut cake." - madeline weinfield, mekita rivas
"The Majestic has been a recognizable landmark in Old Town Alexandria for almost a century (it opened back in 1932). The ownership has changed over the years, but it’s still a cherished spot for locals and visitors. For weekend brunch, order the brisket omelette, overnight sourdough french toast, or the filet mignon benedict served with smashed crispy fingerling potatoes. And, crucially, you must leave room for a slice of the famous house coconut cake." - mekita rivas, omnia saed, tristiana hinton
"The Majestic has been a recognizable landmark in Old Town Alexandria for almost a century (it opened back in 1932). The ownership has changed over the years, but it’s still a cherished spot for locals and visitors. For weekend brunch, order the brisket omelette, overnight sourdough french toast, or the filet mignon benedict served with smashed crispy fingerling potatoes. And, crucially, you must leave room for a slice of the famous house coconut cake." - Mekita Rivas

"Brunch fare this long weekend at the Majestic looks like steak and eggs, braised brisket omelette, smoked salmon Benedict, and crab and roasted corn omelette. Labor Day brunch hours run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m." - Vinciane Ngomsi