Evening Star Cafe Seeks Additional Outdoor Seating

Evening Star Cafe on Mt. Vernon Avenue is seeking the addition of 30 new outdoor seats in the patio area next to Planet Wine.

The Alexandria Planning Commission will consider the restaurant’s application for the increased seating on Oct. 2.

Evening Star Cafe and Planet Wine, both under the Neighborhood Restaurant Group umbrella, may install a retractable canopy or other shelter over the proposed new outdoor patio. Evening Star currently has 20 outdoor seats on the south side of the building.

NRG purchased the patio and the two buildings next to Planet Wine in 2011.

The addition of 30 seats on the north side would increase the total number at the restaurant and attached lounges to 150. When Planet Wine hosts a special tasting or dinner, the total number of seats for the two establishments is to remain at 150. 

The application includes a requested parking reduction of 13 spaces.

City staff recommends approval of the permit with the reduction of required parking spaces.

Noting parking at the corner of E. Howell and Mt. Vernon avenues “can be tight at certain times, such as Saturdays,” the parking need at the location “is moderated by the fact that the majority of the parking reduction request is for outdoor seats that will be seasonal,” according to a report from Nathan Randall of the city’s Department of Planning and Zoning.

Randall also noted that like many restaurants in Del Ray, some customers will walk to the restaurant. The upcoming Del Ray/Arlandria Trolley could also help mitigate parking issues, Randall wrote.