Del Ray Beer Garden Approved By Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Señor Chicken at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue will change to The Secret Garten with expanded hours, dine-in and carry-out alcohol sales and an outdoor beer garden after final approval from the Alexandria City Council. Amid concerns from residents living behind the restaurant about the hours, outdoor seating, parking and alcohol sales, the approval included some adjustments.

Owner Abe Hadjiesmaeiloo, who has operated the business since 1992, told the council the business needed changes to make it profitable and avoid closure. The newly-approved Secret Garten will serve sandwiches, sausages, burgers, and imported craft beers with a focus on locally-made ingredients. A 30-seat beer garden would replace six parking spaces in the rear. Take-out beers will be available as six to 24-packs and growlers.

The revised proposal limited hours due to concerns from residents at Sanborn Place. The Secret Garten's indoor hours will be 7 a.m.-2 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The outdoor beer garden will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant had originally proposed indoor and outdoor hours until 2 a.m.

The beer garden's approval also comes under these conditions:

• No more than 30 people
• No outdoor live entertainment
• No loitering or congregating outside
• Outdoor dining must stay on the property
• Primary access through the front of the restaurant
• No outdoor bars, outdoor cooking facilities, and host stands permitted

Residents had also voiced concerns about the reduced parking spots and their impact on the their neighborhood. However, the restaurant meets the minimum 11 required spaces for shopping center tenants under an ordinance the council adopted in February. The owner plans to offer discounts for customers that don't drive.

The closest home to the restaurant is 89 feet away, and landscaping will be added to the two proposals. The restaurant could open in the fall at the earliest, Washington Business Journal reported.

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Image portraying area of future beer garden behind The Secret Garten via City of Alexandria