I’m not really one for over-hyped places, but I really love Le Diplomate. It’s très Parisien, which also isn’t usually my thing, but holy moly. The beef bourguignon. The baguettes. The butter! Plus, it's the best for people watching. If you like talking heads, you’re almost guaranteed to spot em here. Definitely worth a dinner, also worth a brunch. Make reservations!
Read MoreThe! Pasta! At! This! Place! Oh my stars, y’all. At Sfoglina, they make it all by hand and you eat it on couches off plates that are mismatchy and probably taken from your grandma’s china cupboard and it’s all so delicious that I can only recommend bringing a friend with a big appetite and doing the tasting menu (you’ll get three!).
Read MoreBen’s Chili Bowl is iconic. Ask someone about food in DC and it will inevitably come up, usually alongside some story that begins with “one night we were out on U street…” If you’re going in the summer, be prepared to wait in lines out the door—people will wait as long as it takes for one of those amazing half-smokes.
Read MoreCava Mezze is the first place I’ve ever had flaming cheese (aka saganaki) and will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s delicious Greek mezze, and has spawned fast-casual Chipotle-style pop-ups all over the city called Cava Grill. This place is the original, and is still a sit-down restaurant with a full menu that is fresh, delicious, and worth a stop if you’re in Eastern Market.
Read MoreI wish I could explain how delicious the food is at Bar Pilar and tell you what to order to experience it for yourself, but they switch their menu up WEEKLY. It’s amazing (and it's Hemingway inspired, which is a whoooole nother level of amazing). The chefs here are so creative, I don’t know what to do with them. Just trust me.
Read MoreRasika is best Indian I’ve had in DC, hands down (Zagat agrees). Make sure you make a reservation if you’re interested—you’ll be waiting forever if you just decide to pop in. Please please please for the love of all that is holy, make sure you order a Chaat (I dream about the spinach one to this day).
Read MoreFounding Farmers was the spot I brought basically everyone when they came to visit me. My family even had Thanksgiving here (three words: gravy. injected. turkey). Everything is sourced from local farms (see what they did there?) and it just consistently delivers. Great cocktail program here, too.
Read MoreI think I went to Baked & Wired every Saturday for four months straight. It’s in Georgetown, it’s roll-your-eyes-back-good, and if your name is Kate and you get the dirty chai, they write “dirty Kate” on your cup so, you know, how could you not like this place?
Read MoreOk, yeah, so, the Well Dressed Burrito is literally a hole...in a wall...in an alley...but don’t let that scare you. This place is NOT messing around. Get the Nacho Supreme, you’re welcome.
Read MoreI’m all about Compass Rose. It’s in a row house, and so cozy—the ambiance is amazing and the back is even tricked out with a tent. The best way I can describe the food is international—it’s really whatever it feels like, and it’s all good. The khachapuri, besides begging to have its picture taken, is really phenomenal, and the Korean shortribs have made me weep.
Read MoreI don’t think I need to explain this one. Go to District Doughnut, get a half dozen and, whatever you do, make sure that you try the dulce de leche.
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