Restaurant Report: The Handover

Whether you’re looking for a quick, healthy lunch or the perfect place for a romantic dinner date, The Handover will be your new go-to. It has been open for just a little over two weeks and we have already fallen in love with these amazing hand rolls. The sushi and cocktails are both out of this world. With its tranquil aesthetic and welcoming atmosphere, it is also the perfect place to end the day (and they will continue to pour foam and add garnishes to your drink to get that perfect Insta shot).I was lucky enough to sit down and discuss all things sushi with the incredibly talented, brilliant, Alexandria native, Teddy Kim. Teddy, the Co-Owner of Avanti Holdings Group, is constantly bringing new life and fun restaurants to Alexandria. You’ve definitely been to one of their amazing eateries including: The People’s Drug, Chop Shop Taco, Toastique, and now, The Handover.  Teddy says the inspiration for this hand roll Temaki sushi restaurant came from the concept of wanting to bring something exciting and new to Alexandria. This type of eatery was extremely popular in New York, Los Angeles, and downtown Washington, D.C. It was time for Old Town to experience it firsthand. Teddy says Chef Melvin Urrutia (who is also The People’s Drug chef and previously, Flying Fish) has a passion for sushi and his goal was to create a stage for people to truly experience this art.The best part? You can spend a relaxing evening at the 13-seat sushi bar, but these hand rolls also make for the perfect lunch. Pop in and have a quick, healthy, light meal. Fast food options may be quick, but they often leave us all feeling sluggish, groggy, and may not include the healthiest ingredients. On the other hand, grab-and-go salad options are sometimes mundane and one flavor profile. The Handover gives you that 10-roll option to get an array of flavors. It’s fun, healthy, and the fish they cut that day is always what’s served, so you know you’re always getting the highest quality ingredients.  The sushi restaurant is at 728 King Street in Old Town. The Handover operates on the first floor of the restaurant, with another new sushi-focused bar called the King's Ransom on the second floor in the former Bar PX speakeasy lounge.