Society Fair (Alexandria, VA)

Society Fair is the latest restaurant in Cathal Armstrong's stranglehold on Alexandria's culinary scene. And it does not disappoint. A blend of high-end grocery/butchery/bakery, wine-inspired bar, and demo kitchen, Society Fair has a little bit of something for everyone.

My first trip was a Saturday evening at the Demo Kitchen, hosted by Trey Massey. Our evening was fabulous, beginning with house-cured gravlax salad with blood orange, followed by duck two ways (breast and confit), and rounding out the meal with a golden syrup glazed citrus cake. Between the gourmet food and insightful cooking tips from Massey, my first trip to Society Fair did not disappoint.

My second trip was a Saturday evening in the wine bar area of the restaurant, where we focused on cocktails, charcuterie, and (for me) an amazing sandwich. Todd Thrasher has created a menu of "wine-inspired" cocktails which -- for the most part -- incorporate a unique wine as a part of the cocktail mix. I began the evening with an "I want to Eat an Onion Tart" cocktail, a delicious and savory drink to pair with our charcuterie. While not for everyone, the lardo was outrageously good. It was the conclusion of my meal -- the Walter sandwich (smoked turkey, gruyere, bacon, mayo, sweet and sour onions) and the Aviator cocktail (off-menu twist on a gin martini) -- that stole the evening.

My third trip was to the market, where I picked up duck fat, lard, flat iron steak, duck confit, and green sausage. Everything has been first-rate -- especially the green sausage (think kale, collards, and pork), which they apparently have year-round (and will add other varieties of greens depending upon the season!). Needless to say, I will be back.

Service: A +
Food (Demo Kitchen): A+
Food (Wine Bar): A/A-
Market: A
Atmosphere: A