Chef Morou Ouattara of Farrah Olivia picks up organic arrangements at Bloom Fresh Flowers. Photograph by Scott Suchman.

Artistic Inspiration

Morou Ouattara opened his highly regarded restaurant, Farrah Olivia (600 Franklin St.; 703-778-2233), in 2006. He does creative cooking in the back while his wife, Heather, welcomes guests in the front.

I find the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.; 703-838-4565) inspiring. People weld, paint, design jewelry, and make pottery. I like to see things being made. . . . I start to think about food.

I go to the professional-cook store La Cuisine (323 Cameron St.; 703-836-4435) for cookbooks, terrine molds, and assorted cutters.

When I need last-minute flowers—birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day—I run across the street to Bloom Fresh Flowers (625 S. Washington St.; 703-299-9929). They put together organically grown arrangements.

Sometimes I need to get away from caviar and foie gras. I like Five Guys (107 N. Fayette St.; 703-549-7991) for an old-fashioned, messy burger. I especially love the peanuts; I can’t eat them at home because one of my daughters has allergies.

A Good Fit

Former Washington Post staffer John Harris started Politico with fellow journalist Jim VandeHei to cover the national political scene. Politico is available in print four days a week, though it reaches its widest audience 24/7 online.

Hank’s Oyster Bar (1026 King St.; 703-739-4265) is a great addition to Old Town. I like the seafood ceviche.

In the summer, I sometimes go to the farmers market at City Hall (301 King St.). I like to cook, and I pick up fresh produce there. I make blueberry pie.

My wife, Ann, and I take the family to Nana’s Sunday Dinner at the Majestic (911 King St.; 703-837-9117). They serve food family-style on communal platters. We went just after Thanksgiving with the kids.

I always get my running shoes at Pacers (1301 King St.; 703-836-1463). They seem to know what kind of shoes should fit your feet. You get a level of service unlike that in a big chain.

We have a new puppy, Elsa, a Bernese mountain dog. She had great training at the Olde Towne School for Dogs (529 Oronoco St.; 703-836-7643).

I surf the Web at Buzz (901 Slaters La.; 703-600-2899) or just have coffee there with a friend. When I feel decadent, I have a cupcake.

A Place to Think

A native of Alexandria and graduate of T.C. Williams High School, Mayor William D. Euille became the city’s first African-American mayor in 2003. Reelected in 2006, he is now running again.

Joe Theismann’s Restaurant (1800 Diagonal Rd.; 703-739-0777) has been home base for me since it opened. I’m a sports fanatic. I go there after work to relax, dine—the wings are good—and watch whatever is on TV.

I go to Mai Thai (6 King St.; 703-548-0600) for a quiet dinner. It’s close by at the foot of King Street. They do a nice pepper-beef dish.

I had David M. Martin at Gold Works (1400 King St.; 703-683-0333) design the first-ever medallion for a mayor of Alexandria using the city seal. I recently bought a pair of gold cuff links with a diamond setting from him.

When I can, I look around Decorium Gift and Home (116 King St.; 703-739-4662). I usually walk out with a thing or two. I last bought two five-foot wrought-iron candleholders for my recreation room.

If I need to think, I go to Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.; 703-838-4340). As a kid growing up in nearby public housing, I used to play there. Then it was industrial; now it’s an elegant park. I still go to the water and skip a pebble or two.