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Unlike most
of Historic Alexandria’s 18th century architecture,
the building that houses the Two Nineteen Restaurant
is over one hundred years old. Built in 1890 by the
prosperous merchant Lewis MacKenzie, this elegant
home reflects the Victorian style of the 19th
century: an austere and sober red-brick exterior
with an ornate but comfortable interior, so
comfortable that it’s rumored that the ghost of the
last private tenant, Mrs. Edna M. Royster, refuses to
move out and haunts the building to this day.
By 1979, the renovations were complete and the doors
of Two-Nineteen were opened once more, now as a fine
New Orleans style Creole restaurant. We hope that
you will visit our bar in the Bayou Room. Listen to
blues and jazz in the Basin Street lounge. And enjoy service
and cuisine worthy of our Southern heritage in the
two formal dining rooms. We are proud of what we
have brought together at Two-Nineteen and hope you
will enjoy the experience.
Clifford T. Cline bought the house in 1972. Like
much of Old Town in the seventies, the house had
fallen into a state of disrepair, what was left of the building was the perfect place to recreate Victorian
elegance in a fine restaurant. The interior décor
features period millwork which is evidence by the
chair rails, cornices, and solid mahogany bars. The
antique furnishings, purchased amidst the excitement
of London auction houses, include matching marble
fireplace mantles, hungarian crystal chandeliers,
solid brass wall sconces, and original Victorian oil
paintings. Of special interest are the brilliant-cut
mirrors fashioned by on of the few remaining
artisans who used the technique created at the turn
of the century. Special care was taken to assure
authenticity in every detail.
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