New Del Ray Restaurant Eyeing Mid-June Opening

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Live Oak Restaurant, the new Del Ray eatery taking the place of Monroe's, is looking at opening in mid-June, one of the owners, Jeremy Barber, recently confirmed.

The restaurant, located at 1603 Commonwealth Ave., is also hiring new employees, according to an ad placed this weekend online:

"Live Oak Restaurant in Del Ray, Alexandria is now hiring for all FOH and BOH positions. We are a upscale southern cuisine restaurant/bar looking to open our doors in the upcoming weeks. Please include your resume and state the position you are applying for and someone will contact you for an interview. If you do not have a resume please include in an email your work experience and what position you are applying for. Thank you."

Justus Frank, a former executive chef of the award-winning Fiola will be handling executive chef duties for the new restaurant in the former Monroe’s location in Del Ray, one of the owners said earlier.

Frank, whose resume includes working his culinary magic at Fiola in DC, will be creating a Charleston-inspired menu at the new restaurant, Jeremy Barber, a partner in the business, said Tuesday.

Frank, Barber and Tim Irwin are all partners in the new restaurant and have previously worked together. Many in Del Ray will remember Irwin from his time working at Evening Star Cafe. Barber and Irwin worked together at (now closed) Del Merei Grille and also at Eventide, where Barber was general manager and Irwin the bar manager, before it closed last fall in Clarendon.

Frank is a native of the area, attended James Madison University focusing on hospitality and tourism and is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. His most recent restaurant stints include helming Copperwood Tavern and Nonna’s Kitchen.

The name of the restaurant, Live Oak, is a nod to the Southern-inspired cuisine that will be on the menu and will also be incorporated into the decor. An award-winning restaurant designer, Griz Dwight, will be renovating the restaurant. Dwight counts Founding Farmers Tysons, Fiola and Iron Gate among his high-profile restaurant design projects.

PHOTOS: Live Oak partners: Jeremy Barber (GM), Justus Frank (Chef) and Tim Irwin (Bar Manager); photo courtesy of Live Oak (2) Monroe’s restaurant in Del Ray by M. Enriquez for Visit Alexandria; a new restaurant will be opening at the location.