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Announcing the 4th Annual Cherry Challenge February 5 through 11, 2012
 

George Washington, the nation’s first president, will be honored on the 280th anniversary of his birth with a weeklong culinary contest in honor of the old cherry tree tale of George’s youth, during the week of February 5-11, 2012. 

The Cherry Challenge, a unique culinary competition only open to Alexandria restaurants, will take place all over the City during the second week of February. Annually the competition has included restaurants from all over the City, and winners have come from every section of the City.  Hundreds of patrons enjoy the unique dishes that the restaurants come up with that utilize cherries in some fashion.  Restaurants get added business during a traditionally slow winter period.  

The competition has four categories that restaurants are allowed to consider:  starters, mains, desserts, and drinks.  Restaurants can choose one category, or more than one.  Ballots will be provided to everyone who orders a Cherry Challenge item that week in the restaurant.  Votes will be tallied up the week of February 12th, and the winners will be announced from the parade grandstand during the George Washington Birthday Parade.

Special Ice Cream Deal for the Cherry Challenge:  during the week of Feb 5-11, Ben and Jerry's will add a free scoop of Cherry Garcia to any order at their Old Town store location (103 S. Union Street, Alexandria 22314).

Just click on the restaurant name to see maps, location and information.  This year’s participating restaurants are:
 

Del Ray/North End:

Indigo Landing

Ramparts

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub

TJ Stones

Old Town Alexandria:

Bittersweet

Fontaine Caffe & Creperie

Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant

Hank's Oyster Bar

The Jamieson Grille

King St Blues Old Town

The Light Horse Restaurant

The Majestic

Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub (last year’s “mains” winner)

Pizzeria Paradiso

RedRocks

Virtue Feed and Grain

Whole Foods Market

South End:

Dishes of India (last year's "dessert" winner)

West End:

Shooter McGee's

Tempo (last year's "starters" winner)

Celebrate one of the most cherished legends surrounding George Washington. During the second week of February, Alexandria restaurants are creating unique menu items featuring cherries. Try them all and vote for your favorite.

If you have any questions, contact Sharon Sobel, chair of the Cherry Challenge event at gwbcc@email.com.