Reviewing The Light Horse: A gastropub with a twist in Alexandria.
When deciding on which restaurant to try during Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week, a friend and I both sent the same suggestion to each other: The Light Horse. What made it stand out? A prime location on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria is a great start, but a varied prix fixe menu that has multiple options per course was the real draw to this gastropub.
We arrived a few minutes early for our 7 p.m. reservation and we were greeted quickly and warmly before being seated. The restaurant has an industrial farmhouse vibe, with wooden tables, black metal accents, and exposed, white-washed brick interchanged with damask patterned wallpaper. Our server, Kelsey, promptly brought our menus and took our drink orders; we both had to try the blackberry pecan old-fashioned from their house cocktail list.
I’d like to take a pause here to talk about Kelsey. I’ve had good servers, even some great servers, at restaurants over the years, but I am not sure I’ve ever encountered one like Kelsey. Off the bat, she felt like an old friend. She was fast to compliment my shirt, which was adorned with cats and asked me about my pets. Over the course of the meal, she took time to learn more about my cats, shared about her pets, asked my friend and I about how we knew each other, and to just be, well, friendly. Her conversation felt genuine, and it added to the welcoming, homey vibe in the restaurant.
Back to the important things: cocktails. The pecan blackberry old-fashioned arrived garnished with an orange slice and a blackberry sitting atop the drink. As a whiskey drinker, I am a huge fan of old fashioneds, and The Light Horse’s take on it did not disappoint. The pecan-infused bourbon added an extra layer of sweetness to the drink, while the blackberry simple syrup was present without being overpowering. It still tasted like an old favorite cocktail, with an interesting new twist. This is a great drink for non-whiskey drinkers to ease into the tastes of traditional old fashioneds.
Our appetizers of tacos al pastor and bacon-wrapped dates arrived at the table shortly after our cocktails. The taco was piled with braised pork and red cabbage as well as topped with complementary queso fresco and sour cream. Because it was the perfect portion and did not skimp on the meat, it was a delicious introduction to the meal. The bacon-wrapped dates were also an excellent choice. Wrapped in crispy bacon and stuffed with goat cheese, the dates were then drizzled with a balsamic glaze. The experience was a warm, sweet, and salty explosion of flavor.
Next up was our main course: pan-seared salmon for me and veggie gnocchi for my dining companion. Kelsey, our new friend, let us know that the gnocchi was her favorite and just the thought of it at the end of the night was motivating her through her shift. It was a ringing endorsement, and rightfully so. The dish included a generous portion of tender vegetables and fluffy gnocchi coated in pesto and parmesan cheese, all drizzled with the same balsamic reduction as the dates. This was yet another achievement in balancing flavor combinations. The salmon, too, was a winning choice. The fish was seared masterfully, with a light crust on the outside and a flaky, perfectly cooked inside. It was topped with a creamy lemon, butter, and shallot sauce that complemented the flavor of the salmon. The sauce felt decadent but not heavy, and the lemon flavor was an impeccable balance between bitterness and delicateness. A bed of orzo with vegetables and two stalks of grilled asparagus acted as the base of the dish, providing an accompaniment that was ideal for sopping up the leftover lemon sauce.
Finally, it was time to indulge in dessert. We had to try both options on the menu: “Mean Morgan’s Cheesecake” and a homemade brownie sundae. Strawberry cheesecake with strawberry sauce sounded overwhelming, but once again, The Light Horse’s flavor execution was spot on. The cheesecake was ultra-light and had just a subtle hint of strawberry flavor, while the strawberry sauce emphasized the freshness and hit the tastebuds with a bang. The crust was a little dry for my taste, but the moist cake more than made up for it. The brownie sundae, served trifle style in a mason jar with chunks of brownie and vanilla ice cream, was finished off with chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and whipped cream. It was the quintessential all-American dessert and delivered exactly what anyone would want from a sundae: a hit of childhood nostalgia topped with chocolate.
As we were catching up, my friend and I sat and talked for another hour after finishing our meal. The staff was polite and would check in on us, but never in a pushy way. As we talked, we kept finding ourselves nodding along to the music until we both realized that we had been jamming all night. The background music was a line-up of classic rock and pop hits from the ‘80s. It was the type of music that can only be described as “songs you know by heart,” and it made for such a jovial atmosphere that it is worth mentioning here. Go for the food, stay for the tunes!
The Light Horse was a definite win, and I would recommend it for friends or couples looking for a date night. Although the large bar was always serving people and could get a little loud, it never reached a decibel that impacted normal conversation at our table. The restaurant offers a steady schedule of fun events found on their upper floor as well, including football viewing parties, live music, and karaoke. On weekends, they keep brunch going until 4 p.m. for the late risers. A lively atmosphere in a welcoming setting, what more could you want?