I know, I know. You can’t release a 2024 recap in February. It’s way too late. February is a time for anticipating the first tendrils of spring — Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow, pitchers and catchers reporting ...READ MORE ..read more

December 2024 Update: Incoming — Osteria Mozza (#8); a.kitchen+bar (#13); Minetta Tavern (#18) Outgoing — Bar Spero (closed); Mi Cuba Cafe (closed) I’m always grateful when people ask me where they should eat. But also panicked. My mental ...READ MORE ..read more

a. kitchen + bar, 1010 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC (West End) — Reviewed November 4, 2024 With all the high-profile restaurant openings these past few months, you may have missed the quiet opening ...READ MORE ..read more

= Muoi Tieu,  7006 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park MD Takoma Park was always cool: a diverse and progressive enclave where the spirit of Woodstock — and no doubt some of the actual concert-goers — remains alive ...READ MORE ..read more

Shilling Canning Company, 360 Water Street SE, Washington DC (Navy Yard) I was going to say I’m not sure why I never made it to Shilling Canning Company until now, but I do. Navy Yard ...READ MORE ..read more

Mallard, 1337 14th St NW, Washington DC (14th St Corridor) (sound level: loud) A quick initial take on Mallard, a new low-country/southern restaurant in the Old Birch & Barley space on 14th St. The chef, Hamilton ...READ MORE ..read more

July 2024 Update: Incoming — Namak (#9); Bar del Monte (#16); Pascual (#18); Ellē (#20); Alfreda Pizza (#23) Outgoing — Maiz 64 (closed); Green Almond Pantry, Convivial, Mama Chang, Buck’s Fishing & Camping (numbers game pushes them ...READ MORE ..read more

I’m always grateful when people ask me where they should eat. But also panicked. My mental rolodex goes bonkers — flipping through longtime favorites, updating with recent finds, and then cross-tabulating by whatever schlepping, dietary, ...READ MORE ..read more

The Pastiche of Pastis Quick Hits Seeing lots of social media posts wondering how we ever cared so much about ramp season. Like Beaujolais Nouveau never happened. The world seems to be spinning faster and faster, sometimes it feels impossible not to be overwhelmed by the constantly changing landscape. On the other hand, Crisfield Seafood. The ratio of eggs-to-sauce in shakshuka should be reversed. Congress can’t compete with a toffee-flavored creme brûlée — one is bi-cameral but the other is bi-caramel. My favorite restaurants are ones where the waitress tells you to take your fork. If I’m ou ..read more

    Quick Hits It’s hard to believe that the same country that invented tiramisu also produced the cannoli Tip for first-daters hoping to live up to their profile pics: Buck’s has the best golden-hour lighting in the DC area My kids can marry anyone they want except for people who back into parking spaces DC has the lowest Jews-to-Jewish-delis ratio in the free world Cake doughnuts > raised doughnuts Stephen Starr has gotta be using oompa loompas The best thing at Popeye’s is the red beans & rice Note to restaurateurs: dehydrating food and turning it into a powder is only a g ..read more