Evening Star Cafe Launches Patio Pop-Up Called 'The Front Porch'

Evening Star Cafe on Mount Vernon Avenue is launching a new pop-up restaurant Wednesday evening called The Front Porch that is located on a new patio between Planet Wine and the Exotic Planterium and Card and Comic Collectorama.

Chef Jim Jeffords has created a menu of coastal and backyard barbecue selections for the pop-up, including light, summer-centric dishes.

According to an email from Megan Bailey of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group:

The Front Porch menu features light, seasonal plates such as a Gazpacho Salad with spring greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and rooftop radishes; Grilled Apalachicola Oysters, as well as, shareable bites like Crab Fritters with Maryland Lump Crab with Old Bay Aioli; Evening Star’s popular Poppadews; and Datil Pepper Hot Wings. Casual Coastal and Backyard Barbecue favorites are likely to be seen on this rotating summer menu with options such as Pulled Pork Sliders, Grilled Fish Tacos, Fish Fry Basket and Smoked Ribs.

Jeffords is also pulling items from the Star’s rooftop garden to create “hyper-local” side dishes—something we’re fond of at Patch—including grilled asparagus, mixed radishes with whipped lemon butter, marinated cucumbers and tomatoes, snap peas with mint dressing, grilled corn with Tasso butter and honey roasted carrots.

The new space, which was OK’d for use by Alexandria City Council in October 2012, will also serve as an alfresco wine and beer garden and offer punch and the ever-intriguing addition of slushies.

The Front Porch, located at 2006 Mount Vernon Ave., will open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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