Now Open: Live Oak Serving Up Southern Menu in Del Ray

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Live Oak Restaurant quietly opened Friday in Del Ray and already has garnered four stars from a half-dozen reviews posted to Yelp and 3.9 stars from 17 reviews on Open Table.

The restaurant is a partnership between Justus Frank, Tim Irwin and Jeremy Barber with Frank, former executive chef at Fiola, at the culinary helm.

The new restaurant, located in the former home of Monroe's at 1603 Commonwealth Ave., describes itself on Open Table as offering "Low Country Cuisine and Drink done with locally seasonal ingredients. We are a restaurant devoted to historic Charleston, SC and its distinct character."

The reviews' good news: The food gets generally rave reviews as do the service and decor. Some of the kinks to be worked out include problems with air conditioning, the noise level and a few unflattering comments about particular dishes.

The Southern-inspired menu includes deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, crispy chicken livers, hay-smoked oysters, buffalo pork cheeks, fried catfish and country fried steak. Fried chicken is served Mondays. See the entire menu here.

The restaurant is open for dinner daily from 5-10 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PHOTO from Live Oak Web site