After sitting empty for years, the former Benny DiForza’s spot on Mount Vernon Avenue is finally getting a new tenant. Little Birdie, a new restaurant from the team behind Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar, has scored city approval to take over the storefront, add a modest outdoor patio, and set evening hours for service.
Permit Approval Moves Little Birdie Closer To Opening
City planning records show that Table 52 Hospitality LLC applied to take over the unit at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue, change the listed ownership, and rename the space Little Birdie. The administrative special use permit received sign-off on March 12, 2026. According to the signed staff report from the City of Alexandria, the approval keeps outdoor dining in play at the address and attaches a familiar set of conditions.
Who’s Behind Little Birdie
The new concept comes from Matthew Sloan and culinary director Eric Brannon, the duo responsible for Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar, which opened in Del Ray in 2022. What Now DC reports that the pair filed the permit for Little Birdie and that menu specifics are still under wraps. Earlier this month, local reporting flagged the application during routine planning updates, and Alexandria Brief was the first to call out the filing in its coverage of Del Ray business activity.
Permit Conditions And What To Expect
The permit limits the outdoor dining area to 10 patrons and requires that the patio be cleared of customers by 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, according to the City of Alexandria. The approval also bars live entertainment in the outdoor seating area and specifies that any planters, barriers, or furniture must stay out of the public right-of-way. In other words, it is a fairly standard set of rules for a small storefront restaurant on the Mount Vernon Avenue corridor.
Timeline And What’s Next
For now, Little Birdie’s full menu, service style, and opening date are still unknown. What Now DC notes that it has reached out to ownership for more details. With the permit signed, the team can move ahead with interior buildout, health inspections, and signage, so neighbors can expect to see more activity at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in the coming weeks.
