Murphy's of Alexandria

New England Patriots fans will find a warm welcome at Murphy's. In fact, a poll by the restaurant's owners a few years back showed that the Patriots were the patrons' favorite team, after the local Redskins, of course. When games are being televised on the pub's seven TV sets, the place is packed. The rest of the time Murphy's draws scores of regulars.

Although the pub is located on busy King Street, it has a small-town feel. Founded nearly 20 years ago by a handful of Irish Americans, Murphy's was intended to be a congenial gathering spot offering good food at a good price. Mission accomplished. The food is a cut above pub grub, and well worth the prices charged (the menu's most expensive item is the charbroiled New York strip steak, $10.95). There's an array of burgers and sandwiches, but the standouts are the Irish stew and the homemade meat-and-potato pie. Either would go down well with a cold glass of one of the 15 beers on tap.

-- Hope Katz Gibbs