• Some of the best restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia have been lauded by food critics for outstanding menus and fresh ingredients.tin foil star image by Antony McAulay from Fotolia.com
  
  Once just a hub of brew pubs and family eateries, Alexandria, Virginia has become a "foodie" mecca replete with superstar chefs and nuanced nooks hiding in the corners of strip malls. Every year, more restaurateurs stamp this suburb outside the Washington, D.C. region with their brand of culinary genius. To narrow down the superlative options is no small feat, but according to the area's most notable food critics, the following fine-dining and budget-friendly restaurants take top billing.
  
  

Restaurant Eve

• One of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country, Restaurant Eve takes a bite out of the fine-dining scene in Alexandria by combining two concepts under a single roof. The tasting-room menu consists of a five-, seven- ,or nine-course dinner option that changes daily according to what's in season. The bistro offers a more casual experience with an a la carte menu that also changes regularly. The restaurant is acclaimed not only for its innovative food menu, but also for its cocktail concoctions. Sommelier Todd Thrasher designs an intricate libations repertoire incorporating fresh, often surprising, ingredients. Most notable, chef Cathal Armstrong has been celebrated for his commitment to area farmers and his support of a number of wildlife causes. Dinner with a conscience? More, please.
  
  Restaurant Eve
  
  110 South Pitt St.
  
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  
  restauranteve.com
  
  

La Bergerie

• Skip the expensive flight to Paris and head for La Bergerie. Guests will enjoy cuisine parallel to any upscale spot in provincial France with a choice between a four-course tasting menu or a la carte options. Highly acclaimed in the area, food critics have regaled La Bergerie for being everything from a perfect first-date setting to a "food-lovers wish list." And while the interior is adorned with oil paintings and crystal chandeliers, the atmosphere manages to escape stuffiness. Tres bien.
  
  La Bergerie
  
  218 N. Lee St.
  
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  
  703-683-1007
  
  labergerie.com
  
  

Food Matters Cafe

• A full-service restaurant, wine bar, carry-out, and community-supported agriculture touchstone, Food Matters Cafe successfully tries to be everything to everyone who cares about food and its origin. One of the few high-quality restaurants in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area that offers a separate kid-friendly menu, it's a favorite spot for families and foodies alike. Food Matters' mid-priced menu also features an all-you-can-eat pasta night event once a week, and all selections spotlight the season's bounty and area farmers who till their earth. Dig in.
  
  Food Matters Cafe
  
  4906 Brenman Park Drive
  
  Alexandria, VA 22304
  
  703-461-3663
  
  foodmattersva.com
  
  

Taqueria Poblano

• Anyone who has surrendered his search for decent Mexican cuisine, free from the melted-cheese and refried mess so influenced by American taste, may just reconsider his plight after a trip to Taqueria Poblano. The budget-friendly eatery has been regaled by area food critics for its fresh ingredients and authentic South-of-the-Border flavor. Ole.
  
  Taqueria Poblano
  
  400-B Mount Vernon Ave.
  
  Alexandria, VA 22301
  
  703-548-8226
  
  taqueriapoblano.com