Jenna Fox 
Old Town Alexandria has no shortage of restaurants, but Elaine’s is doing something a little different. This spot, located at 208 Queen Street, pairs modern Mediterranean food with author talks, book launches, workshops, podcast recordings, writers’ meetups, and other literary events, creating a gathering place for both established and aspiring writers. Founded by Jeffrey James Higgins and his wife, Cynthia, Elaine’s has grown into part restaurant, part literary salon, and part creative community hub. Read on to learn more about Elaine’s in Alexandria and how the space is bringing food, books, and writers together under one roof.
How Elaine’s Came to Old Town Alexandria
Jeffrey James Higgins and his wife, Cynthia, began developing the idea for Elaine’s in 2022, eventually transforming a historic Queen Street building into a restaurant and gathering place for the literary community. Elaine’s officially opened in March 2023 at 208 Queen Street. The building dates back to 1880 and was home to Bilbo Baggins for 38 years before the restaurant closed in 2020. Jeffrey and Cynthia renovated the space while preserving its Old Town character and incorporating areas where writers and readers could gather for literary events.
The restaurant’s name comes from Cynthia’s grandmother, Elaine. Cynthia grew up in Cairo, Egypt, and when she was 12 years old, she promised her grandmother that if she ever opened a restaurant, she would name it after her. Cynthia also drew on her Egyptian heritage and family recipes when developing the menu. Elaine’s describes its cuisine as modern Mediterranean inspired by Alexandria, Egypt, with Middle Eastern, French, Greek, and Italian influences.
The Fairfax Girl chatted with Jeffrey and Hope Katz Gibbs, PR director of Elaine’s Literary Salon and co-host of its podcast and video series, about the idea behind the space and the community that has grown around it.
Creating a Literary Hub for Writers
While Elaine’s operates as a full restaurant, the literary salon is a major part of its identity. The space regularly hosts author talks, book launches, poetry readings, workshops, panels, conferences, and opportunities for writers to meet one another.
“People can come in here, and they can eat and drink while listening to the story behind the story from authors,” Jeffrey said. “Nonfiction and fiction alike. And then afterwards, they can network and meet each other.”
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Jeffrey said the goal is to create something that goes beyond the traditional book signing. Authors and aspiring writers can meet people at different stages of the publishing process and have conversations about everything from writing technique to finding agents, working with publishers, and navigating the industry.
“This is definitely a hub for the writers, the poets, the authors, the whole nine yards,” Jeffrey said. Elaine’s has welcomed writers from a variety of genres and backgrounds, including authors Jon Gilstrap and C.R. Rowenson, along with Jeffrey himself, who writes crime and espionage thrillers.
Jeffrey’s Career From Law Enforcement to Writing
Before becoming a full-time novelist and restaurateur, Jeffrey worked as a freelance journalist in Boston and later spent decades in law enforcement, including work in Florida and as a federal agent.
After retiring in 2017, Jeffrey returned his focus to writing. He said many of the ideas and details that make their way into his books are influenced by experiences from his former career, helping him bring an added level of realism to his thrillers.
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That experience also helped shape Elaine’s literary programming. Rather than creating a space focused solely on readings or signings, Jeffrey wanted writers to have opportunities to learn from one another and discuss what actually goes into building a writing career.
The Elaine’s Writers Club + Literary Events
The literary community at Elaine’s has continued to grow. In 2026, the team expanded its programming with the Elaine’s Writers Club, which brings writers together for workshops, seminars, networking events, and dedicated time to work on their craft.
Elaine’s also hosts a monthly Writers Happy Hour on the last Wednesday of the month. The gatherings bring together members of the local writing community and organizations including Sisters in Crime, the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, the Northern Virginia Writers Club, and others.
There are also monthly write-ins for Writers Club members, along with book launches, readings, and author events throughout the year.
As of September 2026, the literary calendar includes several upcoming events, including author launches, essay readings, a Writers Club write-in, and the September Writers Happy Hour. Readers can find the latest lineup through the Elaine’s Literary Salon event calendar.
Book Launches, Poetry + Community Events
Jeffrey said Elaine’s has become a home for much more than traditional author talks. The restaurant hosts poetry readings, book signings, workshops, conferences, private parties, and other gatherings including weddings.
Hope said one of the most important parts of the salon is bringing together people who are at very different stages of their writing careers. “We’re creating a home for people,” Hope said. “So when I do poetry events, for example, I’ll bring in people who are award-winning poets, then I’ll bring in a brand-new first-time poet who has never read in public.”
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That mix is intentional. Jeffrey said writers can benefit from meeting people who have already gone through the publishing process, while experienced authors also get an opportunity to connect with emerging voices.
Elaine’s also offers authors space for book launches, adding another way for writers to introduce their work to the local community.
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The literary community extends beyond the restaurant through the Elaine’s Literary Salon podcast and video series, hosted by Jeffrey and Hope.
Rather than sticking exclusively to traditional book discussions, the series uses authors and their work as a jumping-off point for broader conversations about writing, careers, life experiences, and the subjects behind their books.
Guests have included New York Times bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Don Mann, host of the television series Surviving Mann, as well as Kerri Hagerty, a law enforcement officer and children’s book author. The show has also featured novelists, poets, nonfiction writers, and other creatives.
What’s on the Menu at Elaine’s
While the literary programming sets Elaine’s apart, it is still very much a restaurant. The menu is inspired by food from Alexandria, Egypt, combining Middle Eastern flavors with French, Greek, and Italian influences.
Current dishes include hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, koshari, Egyptian roasted chicken, lamb shish kebab, moussaka, and other Mediterranean-inspired plates. Elaine’s also serves weekend brunch with dishes like an Egyptian omelet, lamb and beef shakshuka, and a “Full Egyptian” breakfast with fava bean stew, vegetables, egg, falafel, and pita.
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Elaine’s is located at 208 Queen Street in Alexandria, in the heart of Old Town.
The restaurant is currently open Wednesday and Thursday from 11AM to 9PM, Friday and Saturday from 11AM to 10PM, and Sunday from 11AM to 9PM. Elaine’s is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the kitchen closes 30 minutes before the restaurant.
Those interested in upcoming author talks, writers’ events, workshops, and other literary programming can visit Elaine’s Literary Salon online. Restaurant menus, reservations, and private-event information are available through the Elaine’s Restaurant website.
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