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Old Town Happenings: New restaurants on the waterfront

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Summer’s heating up! … Well, theoretically at least. But Old Town’s restaurant options are expanding, so good times are sure to follow.

Two new additions to the waterfront will whet your palate for two cuisines — one far-flung and one close to home: Italian and Chesapeake Bay.

Carluccio’s

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U.K.-born restaurant and market Carluccio’s, which has more than 100 locations across the pond, has set up its first shop stateside right here in our Old Town backyard at 100 King Street. More than just a restaurant, the so-called “food hall” (think: Eataly), opened Wednesday. Throughout June, Carluccio’s will open daily at 4 p.m. and, starting July 1 they will be open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

PENNE GIARDINIERA: Imported giant Pugliese penne with zucchini, chilli and fried spinach balls with Parmesan and garlic. (Image courtesy Carluccio's USA)
Penne Giardiniera: Imported giant Pugliese
penne with zucchini, chilli and fried spinach balls with Parmesan and garlic. (Image courtesy Carluccio’s USA)

The menu (PDF) features classics and twists on classics. I don’t see anything groundbreaking on the menu, but sometimes the simplest of food is the best, right? Italian tends to be that way as a cuisine and, to me anyway, classic = comfort. They also have a bar featuring Italian wines and beers. Because of course.

The second part of this food destination is the Italian market, which stocks “80 imported products sourced direct from small artisan producers all over Italy,” according to a press release. You’ll also find fresh pastries, wine, cheese and prepared foods. Gotta make a trip over there to check this out, for sure.

Blackwall Hitch

An interior shot of Blackwall Hitch Alexandria. (Image courtesy Blackwall Hitch Alexandria's facebook page)
The Crow’s Nest at Blackwall Hitch Alexandria, which opens Monday at 11 a.m. (Image courtesy Blackwall Hitch Alexandria’s Facebook page)

Blackwall Hitch, which has its original location on the Annapolis waterfront, is expanding. It will open its Alexandria restaurant on Monday at 11 a.m. at 5 Cameron Street in the Torpedo Factory Food Pavilion.

Summer sips: Some of the signature cocktails at Blackwall Hitch. (Image courtesy Blackwall Hitch Alexandria's Facebook page)
Summer sips: Some of the signature cocktails at Blackwall Hitch. (Image courtesy Blackwall Hitch Alexandria’s Facebook page)

For Blackwall Hitch’s menu, think classic shore food, but with an upscale edge. Of course there’s lots of seafood, from mussels and oysters to prawn and, naturally, crabs — one of their signature dishes is a crispy soft shell crab sandwich. But if you’re not a fan of seafood, there still are plenty of options, including The Blackwall Burger, filet mignon, a summer veggie sandwich and quite a few chicken dishes, too.

Live music will be playing Thursday through Sunday and they expect to start serving Sunday brunch starting in July. Pencil in some dates now.