Cedar Knoll, located in Alexandria, VA, is a historic location that has been serving the Fort Hunt and Mount Vernon areas since 1970. The restaurant’s rich history is evident in its commitment to providing an extraordinary dining experience, which is accentuated by its waterfront ambiance. This historic setting, combined with attentive service and regional, seasonal cuisine, makes Cedar Knoll a unique and cherished establishment in the region.
In its current state, Cedar Knoll operates as a fine dining restaurant, offering both indoor and outdoor dining options. The restaurant’s operating hours span from Tuesday to Sunday, with varying timings. The establishment encourages reservations, ensuring that guests have a seamless dining experience. The location at 9030 Lucia Ln, Fort Hunt, VA 22308, offers picturesque views, making it a sought-after destination for both locals and tourists.
One of the significant benefits of Cedar Knoll as a location for portraits, especially event and wedding photography, is its historic and well manicured landscape. The ambiance provides a serene backdrop, allowing for photographs that capture the essence of the moment while also highlighting the natural beauty of the surroundings. The waterfront view is beautiful, although bisected by a roadway, making true waterfront photography inaccessible. Combined with the architectural charm of the restaurant, Cedar Knoll offers a myriad of opportunities for photographers to experiment with different angles and compositions.
Moreover, the restaurant’s interiors, with its elegant decor, provide an ideal setting for indoor photography. Whether it’s a wedding reception or a corporate event, the interiors of Cedar Knoll can complement the theme and elevate the overall aesthetic of the photographs.
However, like any location, Cedar Knoll does have its limitations when it comes to hosting events with a photography component. Given that it operates primarily as a restaurant, there might be restrictions on the areas accessible for photography, especially during peak dining hours. Additionally, although picturesque, the venue’s small footprint can pose challenges in terms of positioning and mobility. Additionally, some areas of the restaurant are decorated with a dark, rich wood finish, which makes bouncing light around near impossible without producing unexpected color-casts. Photographers should plan to do as much as possible on the exterior of the building, and pack light for interior coverage.