Augie’s: A Comfortable Addition to Old Town’s Al Fresco Scene

A few weeks ago, you may have walked past what was formerly Hunting Creek to find a fresh newcomer to King Street – Augie’s Mussel House and Patio. Augie’s reformation of the former steakhouse was quick to feature the new spot with an oversized gold emblem on the front window and a fast refresh of its patio soon after.

Owned and operated by the folks behind fellow Alexandria restaurant, Mason Social, Augie’s is the first mussel joint to grace King Street (at least in recent memory), and it’s a welcome addition. The patio has been a promising little oasis for ages but somehow never seemed to be at capacity! But with new owners and an exciting menu, the location might finally be ready to realize its full potential.

I popped in twice in one week to get a feel for this new spot – the first time was just for drinks. My husband, an avid beer drinker and wannabe connoisseur, was intrigued by the sheer length of the beer list. From cans to drafts and from Belgium and Austria to Virginia and Utah, there are easily fifty options available. He tried two - both of which he rather enjoyed, but especially the Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. His take? Anyone who likes to sample a variety of brews would be at home here. I am not a beer drinker, so I went with one of the restaurant’s namesake cocktails (of which there are a few) - Augie's Punch. Made with vodka, simple syrup, house raspberry lime aid and garnished with a lime wheel, it was a refreshing solution to a humid summer day but wasn’t anything particularly exciting or flavorful.

My second visit to Augie’s was for a late brunch with a friend, another Old Town resident. We love dining outside, so we were excited to give Augie’s a try. With no plans other than brunch, we settled in and prepared to enjoy the patio for as long as it would have us.

Overall, the food was good. My friend enjoyed the Hot Chicken sandwich (on a waffle bun!). I gave the mussels a whirl, because When in Rome. I chose to go with Provencal style - tomatoes, garlic, butter, white wine (there are five other styles to choose from). They were cooked well, and while the dish met my expectations, I wasn’t blown away. The Provencal style is a relatively safe selection when it comes to mussels, so I hope to try the other styles and walk away with a more exciting impression! We also split the Watermelon Salad (chopped tomatoes, halloumi, basil, mint, roasted garlic vinaigrette) which was delicious - and of course, old bay frites (which came with three kinds of dipping sauces).

The menu is strong and boasts plenty of other tempting items (I see you, steak tartar, short smoked salmon, and fried bologna!) that we still want to try so we will absolutely be back, but one thing we both noticed, and hope is improved for our next visit, was how quiet the patio is. This was something I observed during my first visit as well. Typically, silence is a great bonus, especially in the city. However, it felt uneasy at Augie’s. We suggest adding some music to the patio to make the ambiance a bit more welcoming to visitors!

All in all, Augie’s has nearly everything you need to be successful in Old Town – a great location with outdoor dining, a welcoming staff, and an exciting food and drink offering. Hopefully, with a few tweaks here and there, it will become a mainstay on King Street.