The Happy Tart Has Plans for Expansion at Del Ray Location

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Happy Tart, Del Ray's popular gluten-free bakery, has plans to add seating and expand its menu, according to plans filed with the City.

After opening four years ago as a retail bakery and take-out, The Happy Tart, located at 2307A Mt. Vernon Ave. (see map below) in the heart of Del Ray, has expanded its business by adding a second location in Falls Church.

Now, with that operation successfully off the ground since last fall, the owner has plans to expand the Del Ray location, adding seating for 10 inside and 20 outside and an extended menu to include crepes, as well as Swing's coffee, and local Virginia wines and hard ciders.

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Here is The Happy Tart crepes menu at the Falls Church location:

Sweet crepes

• Nutella: $6: VG :Nutella dusted with Powdered Sugar
• Add Bananas $.50. Add Strawberries $.50.
• Strawberries and Cream: $6.50: VG :Sliced Strawberries with Sweetened Whipped Cream.
• Raspberries and Cream: $6.75: VG :Fresh Raspberries with Sweetened Whipped Cream.
• Strawberry Rhubarb: $6.50: VG :Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote with Whipped Cream.
• Caramel Banana: $6.50: VG :Slices of fresh Banana in a homemade Caramel Sauce with Whipped Cream.
• Peaches and Cream: $6.50: VG :Peaches roasted in Caramel Sauce with Whipped Cream.
• Lemon and Sugar: $4: VG :Butter and Sugar sprinkled with Lemon Juice.
• Maple Syrup: $4.50: VG :Butter and Maple Syrup

Savory crepes (served with Rosemary Potatoes and a side Garden Salad)

• Ham, Egg, and Cheese: $11: Honey Smoked Ham, Eggs, and Gruyere Cheese, topped with Swiss Bechamel Sauce. Add Avocado $.50, Sauteed Mushrooms $.50, Caramelized Onions $.50, Tomatoes $.50
• Florentine: $11.50: VG: Caramelized Onions, Spinach, Homemade Ricotta, Artichoke, topped with Marinara Sauce.
• Calvados: $12.75: Turkey Breast, Apples, and Brie Cheese, topped with an Apple Cider and Balsamic Vinegar Reduction.
• Funghi: $12.75: VG :Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Avocado, Tomatoes, Pesto and Cheddar Cheese, topped with Pesto Elemental Bechamel Sauce.
• Fromage: $12: VG :Homemade Ricotta, Bleu, Muenster, Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onions topped with Swiss Bechamel Sauce.
• Add Sauteed Mushrooms $.50, Tomatoes $.50, Bacon $3
• Californian: $13.50: Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, Cucumber, Carrot, Arugula Pesto, Avocado, Chives, topped with an Apple Cider and Balsamic Vinegar Reduction.

Design plans at the Del Ray location call for:

• A mural on the side of the Del Ray Nail Salon building
• A driveway to be turned into a "beautiful garden seating area" with a raised pebble surface, planters and lights.
• Plans also call for modifying the interior to add two ADA-compliant restrooms.

Proposed hours are Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Large-scale baking will be done at the Falls Church location. Crepe batter would be made in Falls Church and crepes made to order in Del Ray.

The applicant is requesting a parking reduction of three spaces. Parking after 5 p.m. and on weekends would be located at the 2400 Mt. Vernon Ave. parking lot.

The proposal goes before the City Planning Commission Oct. 4.

PHOTOS: Renderings from documents submitted to City Planning Commission

Location of The Happy Tart in Del Ray: