Del Ray Pizzeria Receives Permit to Increase Seating
Restaurant was put on form of probation for two months to prove it could come into compliance with its existing permit.
More than two months after the Alexandria Planning Commission put Del Ray Pizzeria on a form of probation for a series of permit violations, City Council approved an increase in seating at the restaurant on Saturday.
The pizzeria is now permitted for 72 indoor seats, 20 outdoor seats and an upstairs special event room with 30 seats that will be available on weekends on a reservation basis.
An annual review of the restaurant in December revealed that it was operating with more than twice the amount of seating allowed in its permit and other violations, including some involving trash and deliveries.
The seating violation was the result of some miscommunication that occurred when a partial ownership change happened shortly after the pizzeria opened. One of the new owners overseeing day-to-day operations of the restaurant thought the seating could be increased as long as the number stayed within the fire code. The owners immediately applied for an updated permit to allow the new seating.
In April, planning commissioners opted to defer the pizzeria’s request to increase its seating for two months so the restaurant could show compliance with its permit before considering amending it. The restaurant was ordered to reduce its seating roughly 56 seats during the probation period.
Del Ray Pizzeria co-owner Erik Dorn apologized to council on Saturday for the violations that occurred. Dorn and attorney Duncan Blair told council that restaurant staff had put in place procedures to assure permit violations will not occur anymore.
The new dining room for special events was approved on conditions it could be used only on a reservation basis, its availability is limited to weekends, that patrons of the room utilize 10 off-street parking spots and that the room and its seating never be used as overflow for the restaurant.
Blair said there is “a cry in the community” for rooms at restaurants that can accommodate children’s birthday parties and events for youth sports teams since venues like Generous George’s closed.
Tracy Waters
8:22 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
"that the room and its seating never be used as overflow for the restaurant"
So lets get this straight. If we ever see people on the roof or in the large room each and every person there will be part of one reservation? No walk in business will be seated in those areas? Riiiight. How is that going to be monitored or enforced? I bet I can walk in there any Saturday this Summer and score a seat in those areas in five minutes. This does nothing. Business as usual for them and clogged streets for all of us who were here first.
Caleb Cody-Beckham
9:04 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
If Del Ray was limited to "those who were here first", you'd be dodging drug dealers on your way to Taco Maxi or Pete's Pizza on a saturday night.
Ken Stevens
9:30 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Don't forget the biker gangs that used to drag race up and down Mt. Vernon Ave. That would be a fun activity to bring the whole family to eh Tracy?
eric reid
6:43 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I'll take that bet.
Barbara
9:04 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
Ater a two months probation; congratulation, DRP! The City of Alexandria is the permissive parent who enforces it's laws/permits when there is a public outcry or it is in their benefit.
Martha
9:30 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
There were no clogged streets in Del Ray in the late 70's. But there were plenty of vacant storefronts. The tuxedo shop (Yoga in Daily Life), a realty (Anne Welsh), a vacant furniture store (Human Services Bldg), an appliance storage facility (Agape Church) and other businesses did not generate much traffic of any kind. I congratulate Del Ray Pizzeria for opening a vibrant business on the Avenue and greatly appreciate the life they (and many others) bring to our neighborhood. Live and let live.
Sean Dalton
5:02 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Could not agree more, Martha. The clamor for additional seating at Del Ray Pizzeria shows that the Del Ray community likes what their business is offering. I say congratulations to them, and here's to many more years of pizza, frickles and great beer in the neighborhood!
Pete
4:59 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Having lived in Del Ray since 1992, and owned since 1996, I can confirm that the old days before all the restaurants and "busyness" on the Avenue weren't so good. After all, didn't we move/rent/buy here in Del Ray to be part of the resurgence of a great old neighborhood? Because we saw its potential? Because we wanted this street life? I know I did.
Dave
5:10 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
I have no problem with the additional seating, but I have to wonder if the community really likes their pizza or just don't have good alternatives. I want to like them badly but the pizza is some of the worst I've had; the crust is tasteless.
John Arbuckle
6:05 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Agreed with Dave, as long as they are increasing seating, maybe they should increase the quality of the food. Thankfully there are better options in the area.
Ken Stevens
9:33 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
That's not saying much John.
Rob W
6:28 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Are you all paid shill sfor DRP? There were no roving street gangs, biker races, or any other such things in Del Ray of past. I should know, I'm from here! All the rich newcomers like to believe that because I think they believe it gives them some sort of street cred when they're speaking with all their family and friends.
"Oh, really, we're pioneers. You just wouldn't believe what Del Ray was like before we moved here. Honestly, all these adorable bungalows, Tudors and Victorians were filled with rapists, murderers and thugs!"
Just know us locals are laughing at you when you make such claims. You're posers.
Ken Stevens
8:11 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
And how old are you? 12?
Rob W
6:29 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Oh, and the pizza at DRP sucks. You don't know good pizza if you think their's is decent.
eric reid
6:46 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Spoken like a true poet.
Rob W
8:21 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I'm 47 Ken. How old are you?
SYSM
1:33 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Pretty amazing that a simple issue such as a pizzeria adding a few more seats becomes so contentious. Just goes to show that we have some real problems with the state of civic life in Alexandria today...
Pete
9:22 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Rob's absolutely right that many people who've arrived in Del Ray in the recent past like to think of themselves as urban pioneers. He's also right that Del Ray 15 or 20 years ago wasn't exactly the South Bronx, as many seem to like to believe. And he and others are even right that DRP isn't really that good.
But what of it? People moved here over the years because they liked what they saw, found it affordable (at one time, anyhow), and enjoyed the feel of the neighborhood.
Again, I've been here 20 years and previously lived in a number of other states and cities. But I can assure Rob that I'm no less a local "from here" than he or anyone else is. Lighten up.
Patrick Smith
10:55 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Monterey Pizza ftw