Honeymoon Chicken licensed at Alexandria's Carlyle Crossing

Overview

Updated Oct 27

Honeymoon Chicken, the D.C. fried chicken restaurant that holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation, is moving toward its first Alexandria location. Construction hoarding and a "coming soon" banner are up at 2461 Mandeville Lane in Carlyle Crossing. Catalogue, the hospitality group behind it, has said it expects a late-fall opening. Virginia's alcohol regulator issued the restaurant's licence on October 14.

Neighbour Ted's Bulletin, another Catalogue brand, is aiming for a November opening at 2471 Mandeville Lane. Honeymoon was founded in 2022 by chef Rob Sonderman in D.C.'s Petworth neighborhood. A third location is in the works in Hyattsville, Md.

Why it matters

If Honeymoon Chicken opens here, Northern Virginia diners get a Bib Gourmand fried chicken spot without crossing the river into D.C.

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Key Indicators

Alexandria locations

First Honeymoon Chicken in Alexandria

2022

Founded

Year Honeymoon Chicken opened in D.C.'s Petworth neighborhood

Locations open or planned

Petworth, Alexandria (projected), and Hyattsville (in the works)

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Rob Sonderman

Chef and founder of Honeymoon Chicken

Leading the Alexandria expansion

Kristen Salis

Media relations for Catalogue, the hospitality group behind Honeymoon Chicken

Announced late-fall opening target for Honeymoon Chicken's Alexandria location

Organizations Involved

Honeymoon Chicken

Restaurant

Expanding to Alexandria

D.C. fried chicken restaurant with a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation

Catalogue

Hospitality group

Anticipates late-fall opening for Honeymoon Chicken's Alexandria location

Hospitality group that operates Honeymoon Chicken

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority

State regulatory agency

Issued the restaurant licence

Virginia's alcohol regulator, which issues restaurant licences

Timeline

2022 October 2026

6 events Latest: October 16th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Ted's Bulletin announces November opening
Latest Announcement

Ted's Bulletin said its ninth location at 2471 Mandeville Lane will open in November 2026. Honeymoon Chicken, its neighbour at 2461 Mandeville Lane, is projected for a late-fall opening.
October 16th, 2026
ABC licence issued
Regulatory

Virginia ABC issues a restaurant licence for Honeymoon Chicken at 2461 Mandeville Lane.
October 14th, 2026
Ted's Bulletin leadership named for Carlyle Crossing
Announcement

The Zebra reported owner Nick Salis, General Manager Cecil Coleman, and Executive Chef Alan Adenan will lead Ted's Bulletin at 2471 Mandeville Lane, the neighbouring project sharing the development with Honeymoon Chicken.
October 5th, 2026
August 2026
Catalogue reaffirms late-fall opening target
Announcement

Kristen Salis, media relations for Catalogue, told WhatNow the group expects a late-fall opening for Honeymoon Chicken in Alexandria. Construction hoarding with a 'coming soon' banner was up at the site.
August 23rd, 2026
July 2026
Alexandria plans reported
Announcement

The Zebra reports Honeymoon Chicken plans to open at Carlyle Crossing in Alexandria.
July 5th, 2026
2022
Honeymoon Chicken founded
Founding

Chef Rob Sonderman opens Honeymoon Chicken in D.C.'s Petworth neighborhood.
2022

Scenarios

Honeymoon Chicken opens Alexandria location by spring 2027

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: The Alexandria Brief, WhatNow

The restaurant completes construction and begins serving customers at 2461 Mandeville Lane. The ABC licence is a key step, and Catalogue has said it anticipates a late fall opening.

Honeymoon Chicken's Alexandria opening slips past spring 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: WhatNow

Construction or permitting delays push the opening past the anticipated late fall 2026 target. The restaurant announces a revised opening date later in 2027.

Honeymoon Chicken abandons Alexandria location

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: None publicly

The restaurant decides not to proceed with the Alexandria location. The licence is not used, and the space is offered to another tenant.

Honeymoon Chicken opens in Alexandria before the end of 2026

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Catalogue, The Alexandria Brief

Catalogue has projected a late-fall 2026 opening. With the ABC licence issued in October and Ted's Bulletin set to open in November, Honeymoon could open before year's end.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1997

Michelin Bib Gourmand (1997)

Michelin introduced the Bib Gourmand designation in 1997 to recognize restaurants offering quality food at moderate prices. The designation is named after Bibendum, the Michelin Man.

Then

The designation helped diners find affordable quality restaurants in Michelin guide cities.

Now

Bib Gourmand became a respected marker of value, distinct from Michelin stars.

Why this matters now

Honeymoon Chicken earned a Bib Gourmand designation, which has helped build its reputation and made its Alexandria expansion newsworthy.

2001-2015

Shake Shack's growth (2001-2015)

Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in 2001. It grew to a global chain with locations worldwide, maintaining quality while scaling.

Then

The cart became a permanent kiosk, then a restaurant.

Now

Shake Shack became a publicly traded company with hundreds of locations.

Why this matters now

Shows how a beloved local food concept can expand to new markets while maintaining its reputation.