La Strada to Close Dec. 31

La Strada on Mount Vernon Avenue is closing its doors on Dec. 31.

Family health issues and business shortfalls prompted the decision to close the Italian restaurant, according to Courtney Scott, daughter of owner Stephen Scott.

“I think it's too little money, time and energy to keep it going,” Courtney Scott wrote in a message to Patch. “So many things factored into our decision, but the main reason was to have time to spend with our father and for health issues.”

Courtney Scott also said that her family couldn't afford a rent increase on the space.

Scott said there are plans to offer a special menu on Christmas Eve for a fifth consecutive year. A special menu will also be offered on New Year’s Eve, which will also be a farewell party for the restaurant.

“We will miss our employees and regulars who have become part of our family,” Scott wrote.

Scott plans on posting the special menus to the restaurant’s website once they are available.

The Scotts opened Osteria 1909 next door to La Strada in November 2011. Osteria, which has its own separate kitchen from La Strada, will not be affected by the closure.

“We may be changing the menu [at Osteria] and adding some of our homemade pastas, but nothing drastic and not right away,” Scott wrote. 

La Strada won the Patch Readers’ Choice award for Best Italian Restaurant in Del Ray and Old Town in February.

Share your favorite memories of La Strada in the comments section.

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