Alexandria Envy

I’m jealous I don’t live in Alexandria this weekend. Two terrific wine shops now offer opportunites to sit and sip the merchandise.  I was already charmed by them in the first place. I’m thinking they’ll become my new favorite hangouts across the river.

Old Town’s cozy coffee-slash-wine shop Grape and Bean offers beer and wines by the glass, crostini, and meat and cheese plates at the bar. According to the website, “We will regularly change the menu and wines to feature what’s freshest and most current.”

And over in Del Ray, we can sample some of former Tallula chef Nathan Anda’s charcuterie on the patio of Planet Wine’s Canteen, starting tonight. Open Thursdays through Saturdays from 6-10, the Canteen will feature house-made lonza, capicola, bresaola, soppresatta, and mortadella for $3.50 a plate, as well as a selection of Anda’s terrines, artisan cheeses and small plates. Beer and wines are available by the glass, as are bottles of every vino for sale at the shop for a $10 corkage fee.