Sometimes, all it takes to infuse an Alexandria institution with new energy is just a little TLC. At least, that was the case for La Trattoria, the new butterfly emerging from the cocoon of the venerable Trattoria da Franco, one of Old Town’s most historic and beloved Italian eateries. Blending modernization with the Trattoria’s existing old-world charm, owner Michael Strutton aims to preserve the historic while propelling into the future of Alexandria dining.

But then, Strutton was a loyal patron of Franco Abbruzezetti’s creation in the first place. And he thought he knew how to resurrect an establishment that might have seen better days. “I’ve been coming here for years as a customer; pretty much every Saturday night I came here for probably five years. I’m extremely involved in my Italian culture, so this was to me in Old Town as close as I could get to that as far as food, and just a vintage experience which I appreciate more than trendy or ‘fad’ type dining,” he said.