Restaurant to Open at Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- EatsPlace restaurant will open a location this winter in Old Town Alexandria at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the owner announced Tuesday. Its first location, where its operated for two years, is in Washington, D.C.

The EatsPlace Cafe and Market at the Torpedo Factory Art Center will be a quick-serve concept of eclectic sandwiches with entree salads and soups, according to an announcement from Katy Chang, chef and founder of EatsPlace. The menu will be mix of healthy and decadent, which will include kimchi grilled cheese and an Asian fermented foods board. The casual spot's all-day menu will also include open-faced tarts and cheese and charcuterie. Plans also call for beer and wine to be served at the cafe.

The space where the restaurant will be located was formerly occupied by Bread & Chocolate. The new restaurant's opening date and hours were not immediately available Tuesday.

“We're thrilled to be working with the City of Alexandria to bring EatsPlace to Old Town,” said Chang. “The fact that we outgrew our original space shows what a vibrant food and creative economy we have regionally. We're very excited to continue to increase our brand and presence to champion food entrepreneurs in the DMV. We can't wait to broaden our community and be inspired by the artist community at the Torpedo Factory."

“We’re really looking forward to EatsPlace joining the Torpedo Factory,” said Diane Ruggiero, director of the office of the arts for the City of Alexandria. “Just as we’re seeking to sustain the arts in Alexandria, EatPlace is doing much the same in the culinary world. They see food as a way to bring people together and build community. They’re going to bring a whole other level of energy and engagement to the Factory.”

EatsPlace is designed to be a neighborhood restaurant and bar, a food incubator and a restaurant accelerator. The eatery will provide community commercial kitchen rentals and a marketplace with dining space to host pop-up guest chefs. EatsPlace helps accelerate their members' success by providing tailored training, necessary tools and resources and connections to the food industry.

Founded in 1974 in an old munitions plant, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the country. In an effort to sustain the arts in Alexandria, the Torpedo Factory is now part of the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts.

Located just south of Washington, D.C., the Torpedo Factory Art Center overlooks the Potomac River in the Old Town section of Alexandria. Each year, more than a half million national and international visitors meet and interact with more than 160 resident artists in 82 working studios and seven galleries. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is also home to The Art League, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, and soon the EatsPlace Cafe and Market.

Find out more about EatsPlace on its Web site.

Torpedo Factory is located at 105 N. Union St. (Google maps) in Alexandria:

PHOTO of Torpedo Factory Art Center courtesy of Visit Alexandria; EatsPlace DC location photo courtesy of restaurant