Alexandria, VA – It was a dark and stormy … afternoon. Black skies and pelting, incessant, bone-chilling rain—but inside this delightful gem in Old Town, perched right next to Trader Joe’s at 682 N. St. Asaph St., all was warm and cozy.
Bedecked in a profusion of generous, multihued scarves, here and there a shout of bright red, green, or purple sweater, the requisite assemblage of turtlenecks, sweatshirts and hoodies, and the inevitable array of green quilted-coats, blue jeans and pantsuits, a dazzle of nearly 50 women and one very smart or very lucky man gathered on a January afternoon for an exquisite brunch of Mediterranean food and wine, followed by the monthly Mahjong Party at Valletta Port.
Mahjong players Linda Haukedahl, Jessica Parezo, and Virginia Frank. All photos by Ben Herring
It’s just one of a whole slew of special and weekly events at the restaurant, which seats 100. Customers also enjoy live music from time to time that adds to, rather than detracts, from the dining experience, such as performances by guitarist Jim Sheats, a one-man band.
Welcoming the World with Warmth & Kindness
“America was always my dream, and one day I knew I would have my own restaurant,” says owner Lana Makarovskaya, 57, who exudes warmth, kindness, and a welcoming spirit. She opened Valletta Port on November 14, 2024, and runs it with the help of General Manager Panagiotis Sofos. “I wanted my restaurant to be an inviting place not only to the community, but to the world.”
Valletta Port Owner Lana Makarovskaya exudes warmth, kindness, and a welcoming spirit to all.
Such a goal might sound lofty coming from another, but Lana knows, after 25 years in local hospitality, that a multitude of humanity from all corners of the globe somehow does make its way into Old Town each year, and indeed, hers is one of the most improbable journeys of all. Born in Sibica, Poland, she spent her childhood in the Czech Republic, yet her heart was formed in her Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
She remembers standing beside her, at just 3 years old, learning to make crespelle filled with homemade ricotta from the family farm. Her path led her across Europe, and in 1999, she began a new chapter—carrying those early traditions to America-–and into every dish she creates today.
“I got here with zero English,” she adds. “Well—I had taken classes in Europe, but it was British English, not American, and so I felt I couldn’t speak clearly.” But, nose ever to the grindstone, she made her way, learning American English and Hospitality Management at Northern Virginia Community College, and also from The School of Hard Knocks. “Cooking is my natural talent,” she says, but she began working as a cocktail waitress at numerous hotels, slowly working her way up to bar manager.
But no matter what she did to pay the bills, “I was always curious about what was going on in the back of the house, always trying to build a relationship with the kitchen staff and get the skills I needed.”
She met her Ukrainian husband, Alex, who works in remodeling and construction, when they were both employed at the Crown Plaza Hotel Old Town in 2000. It was a unique love story, but the kind this area seems to be filled with: two Eastern Europeans, travelling halfway around the world… only to find each other in Old Town.
A Foodie’s Dream
Valletta Port offers a remarkable fusion of flavors from Italy, Greece, Spain, and France, including homemade pastas, fresh fish and seafood, fried calamari, grilled octopus, and beef-filled crepes, and innovative dishes like salmon gravlax, salmon tartare, and chicken de la casa.
Diners also enjoy a remarkably extensive wine list, as well as draft beer, canned beer, craft cocktails, and mocktails. And for dessert? How about tiramisu with mascarpone and a hint of amaretto, or panna cotta, inspired by the simple desserts of Lana’s grandmother’s kitchen?
The menu constantly evolves, and she is currently adding more Italian dishes in response to customer requests. Though you won’t find many kids, the restaurant welcomes the whole family, offering cheeseburgers, french fries, and more for children.
Spacious, Dog-friendly, Outdoor Patio and a New Espresso Bar
A spacious and dog-friendly outdoor patio seats up to 50 in warmer weather, offering the full restaurant menu. And Valletta Port now welcomes you much earlier with its espresso bar, located at the main entrance, open daily from 7:30 a.m., offering elevated coffee specialties and artisanal pastries.
Your Go-To, Neighborhood Gathering Spot
Valletta Port also offers a variety of regular events, holiday specials, and the afore-mentioned musical performances, with something for everyone, so keep your eye on its calendar. Weekly specials include whole-fish branzino with coastal cocktails from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays, in a friendly and warm social setting.
You can also get bar bites and beer at happy-hour prices and catch the game at “Sunday Sports Action” each week, for instance, while Thursdays feature “Card Games & Cocktail Night,” featuring rummy, uno, poker, and $5.00 cocktails. There is a cover, though it’s gratis for the first 10 people.
Mahjong players at Valletta Port in January.
Open Call for Local Artists
Are you a local artist? Get in touch with Lana. Her love of visual art is evident throughout Valletta Port, but she plans to begin hanging original, homegrown artwork.
Private Events and Corporate Mixers
With unheard-of free parking right in the heart of Old Town (see website for locations), Valletta Port is a practical and convenient destination for business lunches as well as intimate dinners and larger celebrations. It also functions as an elegant private hall, which can be rented, in whole or part, for anything from Sweet Sixteen parties and birthdays to rehearsal dinners, micro weddings, and corporate mixers.
Valletta Port, at 682 N. St. Asaph St. in Old Town
A Powerful Choice for Business Meetings—with Group Discounts
It’s also a surprising yet powerful choice for training sessions and business workshops, with a dedicated stage area and large flatscreens throughout the restaurant, which can be used for video presentations. Valletta Port offers group discounts on a sliding scale; groups of just eight receive a 10 percent discount, for instance, while groups of 27 or more receive a 25 percent discount.
The restaurant is open six days a week, closing only on Mondays.
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Dining and Cooking