What makes a memorable dining experience? The food? The location? The service? Can you plan it or does it just happen?

Three years ago on Christmas Eve, we planned a family afternoon cocktail at the Chart House in Old Town Alexandria prior to going home for dinner. But early in the afternoon it started snowing and I feared that possibly the restaurant would be closed. By the time we arrived there were several inches on the ground with the promise of more to come. There were very few guests since most had probably wisely decided to head home and we had our choice of a table in the bar area by the windows overlooking the river and the dock area in front of The Torpedo Factory.

In spite of the threatening weather, the staff was cordial and welcoming, and we spent a couple of hours enjoying the food, the drinks, one another’s company and the beauty of the snow falling on the river. As we left walking to our cars, ours were the only footprints in the snow on the dock - truly a memorable evening.

While the Chart House is usually associated with summer dining, with its outdoor deck and the attractions along the river, I suggest winter is a very good time to dine at the Chart House. So when it snowed recently I ventured back.

The Chart House was founded in 1961 and today has twenty-five locations across the country at waterfront properties. They can be found in California, Florida, New York, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey, Oregon, Arizona, and Annapolis and the foot of Cameron Street in Old Town.

It anchors the waterfront, located between Founders Park, The Torpedo Factory and the Old Dominion Boat Club with the excursion boats docking in front. The interior is extensive with several dining areas, including an upstairs and the bar area, all taking advantage of the view with large windows.

Our server was friendly and described the daily specials and also gave an overview of the menu. I started with my usual, a Charthouse original, the Crab, Avocado and Mango Stack, which is jumbo lump crabmeat tossed in a remoulade and then layered over avocado and mango, my companion ordered Cream of Crab Soup, which is a thick, creamy soup with chunks of crab and a taste of sherry. Rather than cocktails we had glasses of Pommery POP, which was an excellent pairing with the crab and the soup.

For our entrees, I ordered the Chart House Mixed Grill, which that evening was a jumbo lump crab cake, salmon fillet and four large shrimp on a skewer accompanied by rice pilaf and my companion ordered Herb Crusted Salmon, served with garlic mashed potatoes. Bread served with dinner included flatbread and warm pumpernickel rolls with whipped butter. We ended the evening with coffee.

The menu is extensive with listings on the raw bar, appetizers, soups and salads, a daily fresh fish selection and entrees of fish specialties, seafood, steaks and chicken, crab and lobster. Prices for entrees start at $23.99 and range up to $43.99.

The wine list offers Champagne and Sparkling Wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, other whites including Riesling and Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and reds, including Shiraz and Zinfandel. Many of the wines are from California. Prices per bottle range from $21 for Beringer, White Zinfandel to $275 for Opus One, Napa Valley. Wines by the glass are also available from all the wine categories.

My only complaint for the evening was that it didn’t snow enough. When we left there were footprints everywhere.

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