It’s not just the cronut. These food hybrids prove two dishes can be better than one.

Here is the latest from the Washington Posts ‘Going Out Guide’.

It’s not just the cronut. These food hybrids prove two dishes can be better than one.

At some point, “fusion” became one of the dirty words of dining. Asian fusion this, Asian fusion that. Well, sometimes fusion is a good thing, especially when chefs and restaurateurs come up with interesting ways to combine two disparate dishes. Need proof? Here are some of the most interesting hybrids around Washington right now. Mapo tofu poutine at […]

8 ways to have a beach-inspired staycation in Washington

This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and many Washingtonians will treat it as an excuse to head to the Maryland and Delaware beaches one last time. Can’t head to the shore? You don’t have to live vicariously through friends’ Instagrams and Snapchats. Here are eight ways to get a taste of vacation without […]

Luzmary brings a family’s legendary Bolivian recipes back to Falls Church

Tucked into a semi-shabby, high-turnover structure that District developers would raze faster than you can say “gentrification,” Luzmary is a homespun restaurant in the best sense of the term. [READ MORE]

Could the Howard Theatre become a go-to for go-go?

Since its flashy reopening more than four years ago, the Howard Theatre hasn’t been the most reliable venue in the city. Ticketed events at this gorgeously refurbished listening room still seem to get postponed or canceled with baffling frequency. And then there are the venue’s behind-the-scenes troubles. In April, The Post reported that the theater […]

The Hotlist: 12 things to see, eat, drink and do in September

‘Come From Away’ at Ford’s Theatre, Sept. 2-Oct. 9 The historic Ford’s Theatre has one of the most anticipated theater offerings of the year, as David Hein’s and Irene Sankoff’s Broadway-bound musical makes its East Coast premiere in Washington after selling out two engagements out West. The story revolves around the terrorist attacks of Sept. […]

17 things to do in the D.C. area on Labor Day weekend

Here are the holiday weekend’s best bets in nightlife, festivals, theater, sports and music, as well as many other events around the Washington area Cheers to September: 11 beer parties and festivals Sip somewhere new: 7 bars you probably haven’t visited Capital Weather Gang: Cooler weekend, stormy Saturday Through Monday: This is the last weekend to see “Icebergs” at […]

If you’re going to Instagram your food, you may as well do it right. Here’s how.

I have taken a few photos of taupe sandwiches. Blobby, beige plates of pasta. Drinks so dimly lit you couldn’t tell what they were. Scroll deep, all the way to the bottom of my Instagram, and you will see my shame. Photographing your food — something more and more of us are doing these days […]

The month of August in restaurant openings and closings

If you’re one of the many people who left town in the past few weeks, here’s what you may have missed. Hello Aggio: Bryan Voltaggio converted the Family Meal location in Ashburn into his Italian concept that closed in Washington last year. Bindaas: Indian street food courtesy of the owner and chef of Rasika. Cava Grill: The local […]

11 beer parties and festivals you should really go to in September

September is traditionally the beginning of Oktoberfest. This year, it’s also the start of the week-long bacchanalia of D.C. Beer Week. While those celebrations dominate the calendar, there’s so much more going on over the next few weeks. Sept. 2: Beltway Brewing’s third anniversary If you’re not familiar with the name Beltway Brewing, you’re not […]

The Halal Guys is opening in Springfield on Friday

The Halal Guys, founded by Muhammed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed, started as a hot dog cart in Manhattan in 1990. Now the brand has not only expanded into a family of carts that consistently draw long lines, but it also has additional bricks-and-mortar locations in New York and franchises around the world, including a Springfield […]

The Watergate Hotel’s new rooftop bar has some of the best views in Washington

The number of rooftop bars in Washington continues to climb, but most of them offer somewhat limited views. That’s fine if you just want to get some fresh air with your drinks. But when you want to show off your city to visitors, or impress a date with a superb scenery, you need something a […]

7 new bars you probably haven’t tried yet

Here are seven new after-work destinations to have on your radar, whether you want to meet friends for a cocktail on a sunny rooftop or are looking for a dark, cold basement to hide out with a beer. The Dirty Goose The cluster of LGBT bars along U Street and Florida Avenue expanded on Aug. 18 […]

Buttercream Bakeshop’s icy mint mocha is the refreshing drink you need right now

One of the best sips of the summer has a bit of an unexpected ancestor: Wawa. Pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac was completely unfamiliar with the popular chain of convenience stores and gas stations until her husband, chef Kyle Bailey, introduced her to it. The two were stocking up on snacks and drinks for a road trip […]

8 things to do in the D.C. area the week of Aug. 29-Sept. 2

Monday, Aug. 29 Anniversary specials at 2 Birds 1 Stone: 2 Birds 1 Stone, one of the best bars in Washington, celebrates its third birthday by pouring frozen Aperol spritzes, frozen piña coladas and (sigh) frosé for $6 per glass. 7 p.m. Free. Michael Jackson tribute at Marvin: Michael Jackson’s birthday is Aug. 29, and DJ Jahsonic is turning […]

Haikan, the Sapporo-style ramen shop from the Daikaya team, opens Saturday

Restaurant: Haikan, 805 V St. NW. 202-299-1000. Neighborhood: Shaw. Description: No-reservations ramen joint. Ambiance: Stylish but streamlined hangout. Owners: Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fukushima, Yama Jewayni. Chef: Katsuya Fukushima. Hours: Beginning Saturday for dinner daily; lunch and brunch to follow. The food There are about 1,000 ramen shops in the Japanese city of Sapporo alone, so when Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fukushima and Yama Jewayni decided they […]

13 things to do in the D.C. area on the weekend of Aug. 26-28

Here are this weekend’s best bets in comedy, festivals, music, sports and much more around the Washington area. Free tacos for a year? Free tacos for a year Get outside: New rooftop bars and beer gardens Capital Weather Gang forecast: Sunny and toasty weekend Through Sunday: Ron Funches, at the DC Improv all weekend, may seem laid-back […]

15 unconventional ways to celebrate the National Park Service centennial

The National Park Service has been celebrating its centennial all year, but the real festivities have arrived: Thursday officially marks the agency’s 100th year, and to celebrate, it’s offering free admission to every national park through Sunday. That doesn’t mean you have to drive all the way to Shenandoah to get in on the fun. […]

Can an In-N-Out imitator live up to the original’s reputation?

Enter CaliBurger, which debuted more than four years ago in Shanghai as an acknowledged In-N-Out imitator, one more American knockoff in a country rife with them. [READ MORE]

Boat Burning sets sail with 70 guitarists onboard

Boat Burning gets a kick out of changing shapes. The District rock ensemble, which formed in North Carolina, recently boasted seven members, but is currently down to six. And on Friday night, the group’s membership will explode to a roaring 70-plus when the band transforms into a guitar orchestra for “Music for 70 Guitars,” a […]

The first 100 customers at the new Taco Bamba receive free tacos for a year

Chef Victor Albisu is so happy to open his second Taco Bamba next month, he’s giving away food: The first 100 customers to walk into the new Vienna location on Sept. 8, opening day, will receive a free taco a week for a year. Let’s see: 100 tacos a week, times 52 weeks a year. […]

A celebrated chef just left his restaurant. So who gets to keep his recipes?

When Yona opened in November, chef Jonah Kim unveiled what would become his signature dish: the uni waffle. Topped with sea urchin, taramasalata and caviar, it created buzz as the most photographed item at the Ballston restaurant, a partnership between Kim and Mike Isabella. But when Kim left the restaurant recently, the uni waffle disappeared from the menu. The dish’s sudden departure raises […]

Dinner at Kwame Onwuachi’s Shaw Bijou will cost $185. That’s without drinks.

Kwame Onwuachi, the former caterer, line cook and “Top Chef” contestant, will soon be a chef for real: He will open his debut restaurant, the Shaw Bijou, on Nov. 1. [Chef Kwame’s ready to show D.C. a fine-dining experience unlike any other] Onwuachi has set a high bar for the fine-dining Shaw restaurant, which will […]

The food truck that wants you to be full of yourself

The Pancake Selfie Express tour is so meta. Or maybe it just takes selfie culture to such a new, uncomfortable level that I don’t know how to describe it. Here’s the deal: Holiday Inn Express (suggested motto: Cheaper Than You, Dude) is on the road with its mobile pancake truck, hoping people will notice it’s […]

10 new patios, rooftop bars and beer gardens you should check out this week

A steady stream of new rooftop bars, patios and beer gardens have opened this summer, though the beastly weather probably has kept people from making a first visit. With the humidity finally beginning to subside, it’s time to get out and enjoy happy hour outside. Here are 10 new outdoor bars to check out this […]

Sakerum’s star bartender has created a clever mashup of sushi and tiki

Sakerum, which opened Monday in the former Mova space at 2204 14th St. NW, bills itself as “a new sushi bar, Asian-Latin restaurant and cocktail lounge,” with a 1,000-foot rooftop patio with a retractable glass ceiling. This news might get filed under “another new high-concept restaurant on 14th Street” if Sakerum didn’t include a new cocktail menu […]

We tried Al Roker’s burger at Shake Shack. It wasn’t very good.

Is it morally reprehensible to wonder what’s in it for me when making, essentially, a charitable donation with your meal? That was the question I asked myself when I stopped at Shake Shack in Dupont to try its Roker Burger, a barbecue-and-hamburger crossbreed designed by “Today” co-anchor Al Roker and the public chain founded by […]

9 things to do in the D.C. area the week of Aug. 22-26

Monday, Aug. 22 Modern Times beer debut at ChurchKey: The acclaimed San Diego brewery is known for having a deft hand with hoppy IPAs and its Fruitlands series of fruited goses. Judge for yourself as Modern Times makes its official D.C. debut at ChurchKey, with 12 beers on tap plus bottles of Monsters Park, a rare bourbon barrel-aged […]

6 outrageous ice cream desserts to try before summer’s over

Summer is almost over — well, at least the long vacations and lazy afternoons at the pool, if not the actual season. So what’s the best way to have one last hurrah before the cooler, busier days of fall? Ice cream, naturally. These six outrageous desserts are themselves a reason to celebrate. And yeah, you might want to share them. […]

Washington vs. Baltimore: 13 great things to eat, see and drink in each city

The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles renew their rivalry next week, facing off at Camden Yards on Monday and Tuesday before moving to Nationals Park for two more contests Wednesday and Thursday. For the first time in two years, these games actually mean something beyond bragging rights: This is Bryce Harper vs. Manny Machado. 15-win […]

The hunt for a decent D.C. lunch pays off with two great finds

An old pro and a newcomer will satisfy your noontime cravings. [READ MORE]

6 beer parties to check out this weekend

Is the heat making you thirsty? Fear not: This weekend is filled with plenty of opportunities to enjoy a few delicious local beers. Thursday, Aug. 18 Brookland Pint Second Birthday Extravaganza: Brookland’s most beer-centric bar turns two, and beer director Jace Gonnerman has dug through his stash to stock the taps. Look for Hardywood Bourbon Gingerbread Stout, Founders […]

13 things to do in the D.C. area on the weekend of Aug. 19-21

Summer is winding down in D.C., which you can tell by the presence this weekend of big, outdoor concerts and the return of the Washington Redskins. (The weather might prove a bit more bearable this weekend, too.) Here are this weekend’s best bets in nightlife, music, theater and much more around the Washington area. Happy returns: The […]

Nerftoss wants to DJ the party inside your head

Playing in a rock band is a sophisticated form of listening, even when the band is as crude as Dope Body, a Baltimore quartet so intense you could almost smell them in concert. Unfortunately, Dope Body split up earlier this year, but the group’s bassist John Jones says that the dance tracks he’s now making […]

Yona will keep its name despite departure of founding chef Jonah Kim

Yona, the noodle house and small-plates eatery in Ballston, was touted as Mike Isabella’s first restaurant as a business partner. Branching out from his dueling positions as chef and restaurateur, Isabella was going to assume a more supporting role with Jonah Kim, a chef whose previous work at the now-shuttered Pabu in Baltimore had deeply […]

You need to try the spinach focaccia at Vace Italian Deli

Vace Italian Deli has rightfully earned a following for its pizza, which flouts standard practice by putting the tomato sauce on top of the cheese. But when I recently wandered into the Cleveland Park location, I decided to forgo the pleasure of the pie and try something new. Let’s just say this: The spinach focaccia […]

Food and Wine names JP Fetherston one of the best new mixologists in the country

The Columbia Room’s JP Fetherston has been named one of the best new mixologists in the country by Food and Wine magazine. You may have seen Fetherston at the original Columbia Room in 2010, or behind the bar at Rappahannock Oyster Bar or Southern Efficiency in the years since, so it seems a little strange to […]

Bon Appétit hails Bad Saint as the No. 2 best new restaurant in America

Don’t expect the lines at Bad Saint to get shorter anytime soon. Bon Appétit has given the Filipino eatery in Columbia Heights the No. 2 spot on its Hot 10 list of the best new restaurants in America. Staplehouse in Atlanta took home the No. 1 slot. The food magazine had previously released its 50 nominees, which […]

5 things you need to know about the Passenger, reopening this week in Shaw

The Passenger, which closed in 2015 after five whiskey-soaked years near Mount Vernon Square, is reopening this week at a new location on Seventh Street NW. The fun kicks off Monday with an all-you-can-drink party featuring live band karaoke. Here’s what you need to know about the new digs. It looks more spacious, but it’s actually smaller. […]

Why so many fast-casual chains get started in Washington

D.C. residents who set foot in Philadelphia, Los Angeles or New York looking for lunch might recognize a few names: Cava Grill. Beefsteak. Sweetgreen. ShopHouse. &pizza. All these fast-casual chains have at least one thing in common: They started in Washington and have since gone national. Generally serving more expensive and less processed food than fast-food outlets, fast-casual eateries have become a rapidly expanding […]

11 things to do in the D.C. area the week of Aug. 15-19

Monday, Aug. 15 Rent party at the Passenger: The Passenger isn’t quite ready for its grand opening, but you can get your first look on Monday. Admission to the “rent party” is $40 at the door and includes all-you-can-drink Schlitz beer and Filibuster Rye whiskey, plus live-band karaoke by the Hari-Karaoke Band. 1539 Seventh St. NW. 8 […]

Watch your favorite Premier League team at one of D.C.’s best soccer bars

The D.C. area is a hotbed of support for English Premier League soccer. For three consecutive years, Washington has had the most viewers watching Premier League games of any local market in America. But you don’t have to tell that to the fans who willingly wake up before dawn and head out to bars across the region to […]

Where to get steamed crabs in the Washington region

On a broiling August afternoon, the sweetest relief comes from gathering around a paper-covered table with hot crabs and cold beer. Sometimes, though, you’d rather not take the risk of joining seemingly every other Washington-area crab lover and heading out to Jimmy Cantler’s Riverside Inn. (The crabs are awesome. The waits are not.) So we spent […]

The team behind Union Market’s Cucina Al Volo is opening an Italian eatery in Adams Morgan

Name: Osteria Al Volo. Vitals: 1790 Columbia Rd. NW. Neighborhood: Adams Morgan. Description: Italian eatery with a focus on pasta. Ambiance: Rustic casual. Previously: Pasta Mia. Owners: Daniele Catalani, Matteo Catalani, Rolando Frias. Chef: Rolando Frias. Opens: Friday. Hours: Dinner Tuesday through Saturday; lunch, brunch and daily dinner to come. The food You may recognize the brand and faces behind this new eatery, […]

11 things to do in the D.C. area on the weekend of Aug. 12-14

If the weather reports hold up — hot, humid, oppressive — this sounds like a great weekend to find something to do inside. (With that in mind: Stay cool.) Here are this weekend’s best bets in nightlife, festivals, museums, comedy and much more around the Washington area. What’s new? 8 restaurants you should try right now Hungry for deals? […]

A tribute to David Bowie (sans lightning bolt face paint)

In the final pages of “On Bowie” — a chop-chop genuflection to the late David Bowie recently penned by the great music critic Rob Sheffield — the author wanders into a California roadhouse on his birthday and is delighted to discover that it’s open-mic night and everyone is singing Bowie tunes. There’s a comforting little […]

Colada Shop, from Barmini alum Juan Coronado, will offer creative cocktails and Cuban coffee

Buena Vista Social Club. Pastelitos. Croquetas. Anyone who’s spent much time in the Caribbean or South Florida should recognize those three things — the legendary Cuban band, the flaky pastries, the béchamel fritters. But how about Bola de Nieve, croqueta preparada and palo santo? That trio can be more difficult to place. Colada Shop, an upcoming Cuban cafe in Sterling and D.C.’s 14th […]

8 new restaurants you should try right now

Need help wading through the never-ceasing string of new arrivals to the D.C. area dining scene? These are eight spots vetted by Washington Post writers that are worth your time and money. Casolare Chef and restaurateur Michael Schlow’s fifth local dining room is in the Kimpton Glover Park Hotel. This one focuses on coastal Italian fare, particularly of the […]

The five can’t-miss lunch deals of Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week, which runs from Aug. 15 to 21, can be kind of crazy. But lunch can be a good time to snag a deal — $22 for at least three courses, compared to $35 for dinner — without as big a crowd. After all, who wouldn’t like an excuse to get away from eating at your desk? Plus, some restaurants are only […]

Bindaas, the Indian street-food restaurant from the Rasika team, opens Wednesday

Name: Bindaas. Vitals: 3309 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-244-6550. Neighborhood: Cleveland Park. Description: Indian street food restaurant. Ambiance: Sleek but quirky (graffiti art, mismatched tables) place to take a date or friends. Previously: Part of Ardeo + Bardeo. Owner: Ashok Bajaj (Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, including Rasika, Oval Room and 701). Chef: Vikram Sunderam (Rasika, Rasika West End). Open: Wednesday for dinner daily and weekend brunch. The […]

9 things to do in the D.C. area the week of Aug. 8-12

Monday, Aug. 8 DC Brau’s Crabfest Monumental Extravaganza at the Quarterdeck: DC Brau’s crab feast, which has sold out every year, includes all-you-can eat crabs on the patio at the Quarterdeck, plus $1 drafts and $5 pitchers of DC Brau. 5 to 10 p.m. $50. “Dram and Green” at Dram and Grain: The latest happy […]

The most promising menus of Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week

Given the rules of Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week — multi-course meals for $22 at lunch and $35 at dinner, from Aug. 15 to 21 — dining at the more expensive restaurants seems like a smart idea. If a place regularly charges $27 per entree, then the Restaurant Week deal should be a great option, right? Not necessarily. Restaurant Week menus don’t […]

Where to find the best oyster happy hours in the D.C. area

Today is National Oyster Day, a national made-up holiday that provides restaurants all over the country an excuse to hawk discounted bivalves. Rather than make a list of one-day-only specials, here is a list of our favorite oyster happy hours, most of which are offered six or seven days per week. Black’s Bar and Kitchen Chesapeake […]

12 things to do in the D.C. area on the weekend of Aug. 5-7

It appears we’re past the worst of the summer heat here in D.C., which is good news if you want to get outside this weekend. (If you’re feeling sporty, both summer squads are home this weekend, with the Nationals hosting the Giants Friday through Sunday and United hosting the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.) With that in […]

Be’la Dona always puts on a show. But this is a big one.

When Be’la Dona kicks off this year’s Summer Spirit Festival on Saturday afternoon, bandleader “Sweet Cherie” Mitchell-Agurs knows that her esteemed go-go troupe won’t just be playing for thousands of new ears. They’ll be playing for thousands of new eyes, too. So to ensure that everything looks as good as it sounds, the band ordered […]

10 things you should really eat, drink and do before summer’s over

With the oppressive heat that has settled over the Washington area, it’s understandable if you want to bid summer farewell and good riddance. And yet, there’s a lot about the season that’s worth savoring before cooler weather returns. In the remaining few weeks of peak summer, work your way through this bucket list, a roundup […]

Reren Lamen: A fresh source for noodles in Chinatown

The shop specializes in pulled noodles, the forerunner to Japanese ramen. [READ MORE]

Where to watch the Olympic Games in D.C.

The Summer Olympics are underway, with both men and women playing soccer on Wednesday and Thursday, ahead of Friday night’s opening ceremony. Here’s where to cheer on your favorite athletes with a discounted drink or bar snack in hand. Brookland’s Finest is showing the games while serving caipirinhas — the national cocktail of Brazil, made […]

Tchoup’s Market, a New Orleans-inspired cafe, opens Thursday in Petworth

Name: Tchoup’s Market. Vitals: 3301 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-853-3901. Neighborhood: Petworth. Description: New Orleans po’ boy shop and cafe. Ambiance: Hanging out with friends in the Big Easy, minus the airfare and Mardi Gras beads. Previously: Alfie’s. Owners: Alex McCoy, Marc Dosik and Hunter Campbell. Chefs: Ramin Coles, Alex McCoy. Open: Dinner daily beginning Thursday. The food “Home for our family has always been the South,” said […]

The Haymaker Bar has landed on H Street NE

After more than five years of offering the rare upscale dining experience on H Street NE, chef Matt Cordes shuttered the Atlas Room in late April. Its replacement, the Haymaker, opened last Friday as a bar-focused concept with simple offerings: $7 bourbon punch, $9 extra-crispy Korean fried chicken wings and $8 tater tots smothered with bacon, […]

Tasting menus don’t have to cost a fortune. These new ones are all under $50.

These days, you can have your pick of triple-digit tasting menus at restaurants around Washington, whether it’s such newbies as Pineapple and Pearls ($250) and Métier ($200) or such stalwarts as Minibar ($275) and Komi ($150). But the hefty price tag means these experiences are largely relegated to special-occasion status. At several other restaurants in the area, you […]

D.C. has three nominees on Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants list

We know Washington is a great food town these days. Perhaps we don’t need anyone else to tell us that, but it sure is nice to hear. This time, the validation comes — again — from Bon Appetit, which has included Bad Saint, the Dabney and Tail Up Goat among its 50 nominees for the food […]

Six beer festivals and parties you should really go to in August

This is shaping up to be a quiet August for beer lovers: For the first time since 2009, we won’t have a D.C. Beer Week before Labor Day. The new overseers of the event, the D.C. Brewers’ Guild, have decided to move the eight-day festival to late September. That doesn’t mean that we’ll go thirsty during […]

The month of July in restaurant openings and closings

Hello Anxo: Located in Truxton Circle, it’s the District’s first cidery and Basque restaurant. Casolare: Inside the Kimpton Glover Park Hotel, Michael Schlow’s fifth local restaurant is another Italian endeavor. Da Hong Pao: Get dim sum all day at this spot on 14th Street NW. Duke’s Counter: The team behind Duke’s Grocery has opened a new spot across the street from […]

8 things to do in the D.C. area the week of Aug. 1-5

Monday, Aug. 1 Washington Kastles home opener at Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center: You can debate the significance of the Washington Kastles’ success, but there’s no questioning the fun experience of attending the franchise’s lively indoor matches. For their second match of the season, the Kastles, featuring Mardy Fish, the Bryan brothers and former […]

This is the best time to get into D.C.’s dining hotspots

If the weather has you wary of standing in line at some of D.C.’s, ahem, hottest restaurants, there’s good news and bad news. The good news: The hopping dining scene has gotten noticeably quieter during the summer. The bad news: That doesn’t mean you can stroll right into Bad Saint at 8 p.m. on a Friday night. With the following tips, […]

The Hotlist: 11 things to see, eat, drink and do in August

Todrick Hall’s ‘Straight Outta Oz’ at Howard Theatre, Aug. 1 Actor, singer-songwriter and choreographer Todrick Hall is known for his impressive vocals and his fun, creative YouTube mash-ups, often combining classic Disney tales with modern pop culture. For this live production, the mastermind behind such sketches as “Grown Woman” and “Spell Block Tango” has revamped […]

16 things to do in the D.C. area on the weekend of July 29-31

Here are this weekend’s best bets in nightlife, festivals, museums, music and much more around the Washington area. Remember these restaurants? Time for another visit Griddled goodness: The District’s best pupusas Capital Weather Gang forecast: Muggy and stormy Through Sunday: The corpse flower hits peak bloom at the U.S. Botanic Garden this weekend. It’s one of the garden’s […]

This summer, LyQuin is ready to get to work

Great rap careers — great careers of any kind, really — are ignited with confidence and fueled by experience. LyQuin appears to have the confidence part down. With his new mixtape, “The Other Side,” due out next week, the Prince George’s County native would like to make a prediction: “I think it’s going to be […]

The forgotten D.C. area restaurants that all diners should try

Between Washington’s golden era of restaurant excellence and human nature’s impulse to seek novelty, the emphasis in dining often ends up on the “latest” rather than the “greatest” thing. The restaurants in this guide may have been around for a while — perhaps you visited some of them when they first opened. They may have […]

Kwame Onwuachi’s Shaw Bijou is one step closer to opening

To judge by his Twitter and Instagram feeds, Kwame Onwuachi has been in high acquisition mode as the chef and co-owner oversees ongoing construction of Shaw Bijou, his ambitious, highly anticipated, ticket-only journey into modern fine dining. Onwuachi has purchased a custom-made silverware cabinet and lounge chairs covered in Icelandic sheepskin. He’s even picked up […]

This trend may mean the end of small plates

Is this the moment so many eye-rolling diners have been waiting for? Have we passed peak small plate? No, D.C. restaurants aren’t ricocheting back to the meat-and-two-sides entree. Instead, the medium-sized plate — a dish between appetizer and entree in size — is rapidly becoming the new size du jour for chefs. “Small plates were tired,” chef Cedric Maupillier of Convivial said. […]

Why is the front door of the Argonaut padlocked?

If you turn up at the Argonaut tonight looking for Tuesday night taco specials and half-price Booty Beer, you’re going to be very disappointed. A padlock and a “No Trespassing” sign hang on the door of the 10-year-old pub and restaurant that helped kickstart the revitalization of the H Street NE corridor. A staff member with […]

Where to find the best pupusas in the D.C. area

Purists will tell you that pupusas should bear the marks of a hot griddle — those black-and-brown splotches that add a hint of bitterness and indicate the corn cakes have been cooked through — but the Salvadoran pockets should also hold their form, so they don’t spill their gooey guts all over the plate. I […]

11 ways to stay cool during this week’s heat wave in the D.C. area

This week is going to be a scorcher. Here are 11 ways to keep cool, featuring a selection of summer takes from the Going Out Guide and Express. Take the train to cool: Where to chill out near all 91 Metro stations. Try Frosé, the frozen wine that’s taking over D.C. Get in the water: A […]

10 things to do in the D.C. area the week of July 25-29

Monday, July 25 Fort Reno at Fort Reno Park: Monday’s lineup includes the dreamy, almost doo-wop pop of Cinema Hearts, the abrasive hardcore of American Television and the hard-charging punk of Dischord act The Mauls. As always, the show is free and weather-permitting. 7-9:30 p.m. Free. Motown on Mondays at the Big Chief: The Big Chief […]

Hakan Ilhan is opening a French-American restaurant near the White House

Restaurateur Hakan Ilhan, the man behind such eateries as Alba Osteria and L’Hommage Bistro Français, will open a 147-seat restaurant near the White House that will straddle the line between bistro and fine-dining temple. It will feature white tablecloths, formal service and a French-American menu that will cater to both lawyers in designer suits and tourists in […]

801’s rooftop bar brings the beach vibes to Florida Avenue Northwest

A rooftop bar on U Street or Florida Avenue Northwest used to be novel. Now, it’s just another amenity. From the roof deck of the newly opened 801, you can see the “beer garden” on Takoda’s roof a few doors down. Swivel your head 180 degrees, and you can see the crowds partying atop Nellie’s Sports […]

The summer heat is no match for Shouk’s almond delight drink

What: Almond delight. Where: Shouk, 655 K St. NW. Price: $4 for 20 ounces. It’s hot. You’re thirsty. A cool nitro coffee might be refreshing, and if it’s happy hour — or, um, not happy hour — maybe a nice tiki drink is in order. But what if you’re not interested in a buzz of the […]

Capital Fringe latest includes an avant-pop fave bowing out in style

The latest from the Capital Fringe Festival includes the potentially topical “Free Range” (remember the kerfuffle over parents who — gasp — let their kids a bit loose in Silver Spring?), the sex talk “Oral Histories,” and a graceful last word from the adventurers at banished? productions. Amanda Erickson and Roger Catlin weigh in. (Note: […]

Four bars you should try in Bethesda right now

Rooftop bars, local craft beers and retro pinball games are helping to enliven Bethesda’s sometimes-staid bar scene. See for yourself on a four-stop bar crawl around the Woodmont Triangle. Tommy Joe’s 7940 Norfolk Ave. tommyjoes.com. After almost two decades on Montgomery Lane, Alan Pohoryles moved Tommy Joe’s to the other side of Bethesda in February. There’s just […]

Hazel’s house-made hot sauce blows Sriracha out of the water

Take a look at the menu at Hazel, the new Neighborhood Restaurant Group property in Shaw, and you’ll see this suggestion: “Ask for Fire Panda.” Just do it. No cute and cuddly bears were harmed in the making of what turns out to be chef Rob Rubba’s house-made hot sauce. He first created it to serve […]

The Georgetown escape room that’s bringing movies like ‘Friday the 13th’ to life

The District’s action movie buffs will soon have one more option for interactive thrills. Escape Room Live has announced that its third location will open in Georgetown on M Street Northwest, likely by the end of the summer. As with other escape room games, which have recently cropped up all over the world, players will […]

Capital Fringe latest: Manic musicals and mixed histories

History plays mixed roles in the electronic musical “Romanov” and the Spanish Civil War drama “Love in Ruins,” and no role at all in the boing-boing dance musical “Juiced.” Roger Catlin and Celia Wren report from the ongoing variety event that is the Capital Fringe Festival. “Juiced” The raucous “Juiced” by the glam dance trio Tia […]

13 things to do in the D.C. area on the weekend of July 22-24

This weekend’s roundup of D.C.’s most interesting events took a big group effort. (We’re blaming the heat.) So as Washington takes a break between political conventions, here are this weekend’s best bets in nightlife, festivals, music, sports and much more around the Washington area. Sneak peeks: Preview restaurants at these pop-ups Convention fare: The best of Philadelphia’s […]

Reesa Renee is staking out the center of DMV R&B

If you’ve been paying attention to the R&B that emanates from our fair city, you’ve probably heard things loosening up in recent years. Reesa Renee says you aren’t imagining things. “It used to be that you couldn’t perform a song without a go-go beat,” the rising singer says. “But now original work is appreciated in […]

The $20 Diner’s guide to the best sandwiches in Philadelphia

To paraphrase one J. Alfred Prufrock, Philadelphians measure out their lives in Italian-style sandwiches. Casey Patten, co-founder of Taylor Gourmet, the Washington hoagie chain with a Philly soul, remembers a sandwich accompanying every important or mundane moment of his childhood in the City of Brotherly Love. Heading to the beach? Grab a roast pork. Celebrating […]

Peter Chang is opening an ambitious fine-dining restaurant in Bethesda

Chinese master chef Peter Chang has abandoned plans to open a fine-dining restaurant in the Navy Yard and has instead signed a lease for an 8,000-square-foot space for a similar project in Bethesda. Gen Lee, Chang’s long-time business partner, says the change boiled down to location and economics. “This one is a much better location […]

Capital Fringe latest: Good times in the library

The Capital Fringe Festival gets to make noise in the Martin Luther King Jr. Library downtown: Rebecca Ritzel sorts through the fakers in “Perfect Liars Club,” while “Yes, and . . .” agrees with Roger Catlin. “Perfect Liars Club” “Perfect Liars Club” is the Fringe Festival extension of a storytellers’ group that performs once a […]

Sample food from these upcoming restaurants — before they even open

Hearing about new restaurants and bars before they’ve opened is fine enough, but sometimes you just want to know what their food is going to taste like, right? If you want to cross a bunch of pending newcomers off your list at once, you’re in luck. On July 31, culinary incubator and communal kitchen Mess Hall is […]

Jamie MacBain takes over the bar at Dram and Grain

Dram and Grain, the cozy, cocktail-focused lounge in the basement of Jack Rose, has had a tumultuous last few months, with the departures of founder Trevor Frye, who’s opening his own bar in Adams Morgan, and Lukas B. Smith, the creator of the midweek Dram B. Grain nights, who is creating the cocktails for the […]

Capital Fringe latest: dancing and singing about the environment

Messages for the planet as the 2016 Capital Fringe Festival rolls on: Celia Wren reviews “Glacier: A Climate Change Ballet” and the two-person drama “Too Close,” while Nelson Pressley listens to a “dust opera” called “Rain Follows the Plow.” “Glacier: A Climate Change Ballet” At one point in MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet’s resonant multimedia work “Glacier: A […]

Meet the new chef behind D.C.’s Charlie Palmer Steak

In 2004, when sous-chef Mike Ellis left Charlie Palmer Steak to work in Northern California, Washington was a very different kind of drinking and dining town. Back then, the city had no production breweries or distilleries. The 14th Street corridor was still viewed with skepticism by locals who knew it as an unsavory strip for drugs […]

Bryan Voltaggio is opening Aggio in Loudoun County

Fans of Bryan Voltaggio’s Aggio were disappointed when the chef closed the quasi-pop-up inside of Range last year, leaving behind the Italian concept’s second location in Baltimore. Now Voltaggio and business partner Hilda Staples have decided to bring the restaurant back for a Washington-area audience. On Aug. 10, it will open at the One Loudoun development and take the place […]

How Fringe shakes up Shakespeare

Shakespeare is an annual staple at the Capital Fringe Festival — and sometimes it even works. Catching a cluster at Gallaudet University, Roger Catlin admires a condensed “Henry V,” Celia Wren samples a D.C.-based “Timon of Athens,” and Amanda Erickson ponders a perplexing “Macbeth.” “HVx7” It’s tempting to think that Shakespeare’s “Henry V” was written […]

Where to dine around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, morning, noon and night

The area around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is always buzzing, thanks to its busy schedule of conferences and events. Regardless of whether you’re a local who happens to be in the neighborhood or a traveler attending a gathering, these spots will have you covered from daybreak to well past sunset. Morning Pastry chef Tiffany […]

11 things to do in the D.C. area the week of July 18-22

Monday, July 18 Yappy Hour at Cantina Marina: How do you improve upon Cantina Marina’s beautiful sunset views and delicious margaritas? With four-legged friends, of course. The bar hosts a monthly dog-friendly happy hour in support of the Washington Humane Society/Washington Animal Rescue League. Meet some adoptable dogs, and enjoy a few drinks. A portion […]

Find Pokémon at these D.C. restaurants and bars

One of the best things about Pokémon Go, we are told, is that the game gets people out into the real world, moving around and socializing. But right now, it’s just too hot and humid outside. If I’m going to sit around for an hour and wait for Pokémon to appear, I want to do it in a […]

From Capital Fringe: Fairy tale opera for kids and Southern-fried loss

Music or martinis? Rebecca Ritzel looks in on the opera “Once Upon a Bedtime” and the craftily staged musical “Complexity,” while Roger Catlin checks out the lubricated commiserating in “Death Be Not Loud!” “Once Upon a Bedtime” Reimagined fairy tales are the stuff so many Fringe Festival shows are made of. Why not do Cinderella […]

Washington’s newest pizza restaurants, compared

There has been, and always will be, plenty of pizza to sample around Washington. But with a bit of a recent boom in new spots, a comparison of styles and toppings was in order. Pizzeria Vetri For a 14th Street NW pizza date-night that’s trendier than Matchbox and cheaper than Etto. Rundown: A casual import from the […]

Where this lifestyle blogger goes for a simply delicious fish-fry and burger in D.C.

When it comes to food and drink, Mariama Bramble, the District-dwelling blogger behind the site Brownbelle, likes simple things. That sentiment, however, doesn’t apply to her spunky sense of style, which is bold with vibrant patterns, mixed prints and the occasional pair of round sunglasses. Bramble, a 31-year-old Boston native, moved to the District four […]