Robert Weidmaier's favorite pantry supplies are all on sale at his newly opened Butcher's Block in Alexandria. Even better, Weidmaier, owner and chef of Marcel's, Brasserie Beck and now Brabo and The Tasting Room next door to Butcher's Block, A Market, has filled his meat counter with a splendid selection, from an exceptional pork belly to veal cheeks and the more familiar cuts of beef.

Neighborhood prices are key, says the shop's manager, Selena Zeller. So the pork belly comes at $5.50 a pound. Call butcher Ken Kaiser ahead and he'll get in pretty much whatever takes your fancy from his long list if he has already sold out. So if you want to be sure there's rabbit in stock, give him a ring. He's selling house-made sausages and duck confit. There's duck fat in the chill cabinet, along with Weidmaier's renowned fois gras parfait with apple gelée, sold in a ready-to-serve glass for $6, red wine sauce, veal stock, herb butters. You want salami? Weidmaier stocks only his favorites - like Rosette de Lyons. Sandwiches similar to those at The Tasting Room are made to order.

Windy Knolls Farm in Pennsylvania supplies eggs so fresh they're only collected the day before they're shipped. As you find in Europe, egg boxes are marked with the date of collection, so you can keep track of their 45-day storage life.

Other treats are chocolate truffles, jars of beautiful coral-red mostarda that has been ground down to a paste, and heads of roasted garlic.

So far, the dried goods selection is a little limited. But it will grow. And already includes Maldon Salt, Himalayan salt, Santa Lucia Estate 100% Whole Roasted Beans and Weidmaier's personal pick of pastas, mustards, cornichons, canned goods and more.

Zeller says the intention is to offer recipe cards, with wine recommendations from the stock of bottles which are, for the major part, priced under $15.

Butcher's Block, a Market by Robert Weidmaier, 1600 King St, Alexandria, adjacent to the Lorien Hotel & Spa, 703 894 5253.

Related Information...