Episodes

  • DC's Dining Glow-Up: From Policy Lattes to Caviar Mozzarella Sticks and Why Everyone's Suddenly Hungry for the Capital

    DC's Dining Glow-Up: From Policy Lattes to Caviar Mozzarella Sticks and Why Everyone's Suddenly Hungry for the Capital
    Jan 10 2026
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    Washington D.C. Is Having a Moment: Why the Capital’s Kitchens Matter

    Listeners, Washington D.C. is no longer just the city of power lunches and policy lattes. The District’s dining rooms are buzzing with a new kind of energy, where bold flavors, immigrant stories, and local ingredients share the same table.

    Start in Georgetown, where Florería Atlántico has transformed a former Wisconsin Avenue firehouse into a moody Argentinian cocktail den and Brasero Atlantico upstairs into a temple of open-flame grilling. According to Resy’s roundup of new Washington D.C. restaurants, prime meats are kissed by live fire while Latin American spirits get remixed with Mid-Atlantic produce at the bar, giving listeners smoky rib-eye, charred vegetables, and cocktails perfumed with local herbs.

    Downtown, chef Lonie Murdock’s Isla channels Caribbean warmth with fine-dining finesse. Resy reports plates like Wagyu oxtail patties with fermented mango and curry goat on garlic confit flatbread, pairing island soul with a glamorous dining room under a rose-tinted chandelier. It is the D.C. trend in microcosm: global comfort food framed by serious technique.

    In Park View, Qui Qui by chef Ismael Mendez turns Puerto Rican classics into a vibrant experience. Resy notes mofongo and the towering Chuleta Kan-Kan, backed by a deep rum list and live salsa—proof that in Washington D.C., dinner increasingly comes with a soundtrack. Meanwhile, Poplar in Brightwood Park pushes in the opposite direction: hyper-local and low-waste. Resy highlights chef Iulian Fortu’s foraged and farm-driven menu plus a red-tiled oven roasting everything from lion’s mane mushrooms to Mangalitsa pork, a love letter to the region’s forests and farms.

    High-end minimalism arrives at Omakase Room by Tadayoshi, a 12-seat sushi counter in a historic bank building, where a 20-course progression turns pristine seafood into edible choreography. At City Ridge, Michael Mina’s Acqua Bistecca leans into Washingtonian’s call that more steakhouses are “in” for 2026, pairing dramatic prime steaks and seafood with theatrical touches like a two-foot mozzarella stick crowned in caviar.

    The culture does not end at the table. DC African Restaurant Week, described by African Restaurant Week organizers, brings together African, African-American, and Caribbean restaurants to spotlight the diaspora’s flavors and support local businesses. Taste of Soul DC at Union Market, according to Vendrly, celebrates fried chicken, collard greens, sweet potato pie, and live music in one soulful outdoor feast. Winter Restaurant Week, detailed by Axios, turns the entire metro area into a playground of prix-fixe experimentation every January.

    What makes Washington D.C. unique right now is this fusion of diplomacy and diversity: embassies, diaspora communities, Southern roots, and Chesapeake ingredients all feeding the same booming scene. Listeners should pay attention because in this capital, food is no longer just the backdrop to politics—it is where the city’s future is being written, one plate at a time..


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    4 mins
  • DC Spills the Tea: Oxtail Patties, Rose-Lit Rum Bars, and Why Lobbyists Are Learning to Pronounce Mofongo

    DC Spills the Tea: Oxtail Patties, Rose-Lit Rum Bars, and Why Lobbyists Are Learning to Pronounce Mofongo
    Jan 8 2026
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    Washington DC is no longer just the city of power lunches and policy debate; it is a place where Wagyu oxtail patties, Puerto Rican mofongo, and foraged lion’s mane mushrooms now share the same conversation as legislation and lobbying.

    At Maison in Adams Morgan, the team behind Lutèce turns a historic brownstone into a low-key Parisian salon. Listeners can almost hear the clink of glasses over smoked eel croquettes and taramasalata-filled choux buns, all orbiting a deeply serious yet playful wine list, proving that DC’s French renaissance is alive and kicking.

    A different kind of luxury pulses at Isla downtown, where chef Lonie Murdock channels Caribbean roots into dishes like curry goat on grilled flatbread and lobster over creamy Carolina Gold rice with pigeon peas. The room glows under a rose-tinted chandelier, but it is the swaggering island flavors that steal the show, part of a wider city shift toward Afro-Caribbean and African diaspora cooking. That same current runs through Dōgon at the Wharf, where chef Kwame Onwuachi braids Jamaican, Nigerian, Trinidadian, and Creole influences into a high-gloss narrative menu that has landed on multiple “best new restaurant” lists.

    In Park View, Qui Qui DC brings Old San Juan to the District with rum-forward cocktails, live salsa, mofongo, and a colossal Chuleta Kan-Kan, reminding listeners that DC’s Latin American story is as vital as its politics. Over in Georgetown, Florería Atlántico and Brasero Atlantico, an import from Buenos Aires, occupy a former firehouse with a basement bar scented with Latin botanicals and an upstairs grill perfuming the canal with smoke and seared beef.

    Localism has grown sharper, too. At Poplar in Brightwood Park, chef Iulian Fortu builds hyper-seasonal menus around foraged ingredients and Mid-Atlantic farms, sliding them into and out of a red-tiled oven that treats lion’s mane mushrooms with the same respect as Mangalitsa pork.

    Meanwhile, concepts like Wonder on 14th Street, a “food hall meets ghost kitchen,” mirror DC’s appetite for choice and convenience, while upcoming steakhouses such as Ox & Olive in Georgetown promise martinis, tableside theater, and Instagram bait instead of the old expense-account stiffness.

    Layer onto this the city’s festival calendar—from Taste of Soul DC at Union Market, celebrating fried chicken, collard greens, and sweet potato pie, to DC African Restaurant Week and the decadent Chocolate Lovers Festival—and a pattern emerges.

    What makes Washington DC singular is the way diplomacy, diaspora, and terroir collide on the plate. This is a capital where global stories are told through local farms and immigrant kitchens, and where food lovers should pay attention because the next big culinary movement is as likely to launch from a rowhouse dining room as from a marble-lined power restaurant..


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    3 mins
  • DC's Food Scene is Serving More Than Politics: The Tea on Why Chef Kwame Has Everyone Talking and 100 Restaurants Couldn't Survive

    DC's Food Scene is Serving More Than Politics: The Tea on Why Chef Kwame Has Everyone Talking and 100 Restaurants Couldn't Survive
    Jan 6 2026
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    # Washington D.C.'s Culinary Renaissance: A City Redefining Its Food Identity

    Washington D.C. is experiencing a remarkable culinary transformation that extends far beyond the political establishment. The dining scene is being reshaped by bold new concepts, celebrated chefs, and an unmistakable celebration of global flavors that reflect the city's diverse communities.

    The restaurant landscape has undergone significant change, with nearly 100 D.C. bars and restaurants closing by the end of 2025, yet the city is rebounding with innovative openings that are capturing national attention. Among the most exciting new venues is Tapori on H Street NE, which earned recognition as Best New Restaurant in the 2025 Eater DC Awards. This vibrant establishment channels South Asian street food culture with bold, shareable dishes ranging from dosas and biryanis to tropical cocktails that transport diners straight to the bustling markets of India and Nepal.

    Just as compelling is Dōgon, helmed by award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi, which topped Yelp's Best New Restaurants of 2025 list. This refined Afro-Caribbean establishment celebrates Jamaican, Nigerian, Trinidadian, and Creole influences, delivering what the culinary community describes as explosive flavor through innovative global techniques.

    The concept of communal dining is evolving too. Wonder, a new food hall meets ghost kitchen venture, brings together more than twenty-five restaurant concepts under one roof, from celebrity chef pop-ups to global street eats. This model reflects a growing appetite for variety and discovery among D.C. diners who want to sample multiple culinary traditions in a single visit.

    Beyond individual restaurants, the city's food culture is thriving through celebrations of cuisine and heritage. The Taste of Soul DC festival returns on June 27th, uniting the community to celebrate soul food traditions with live music and performances. Meanwhile, the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle, part of the broader DC250 celebration honoring America's 250th birthday, positions barbecue as central to the nation's culinary story.

    Additional cultural food events like the DC African Restaurant Week Festival in September and various neighborhood food festivals throughout the year underscore how D.C. leverages dining to build community connections and support local businesses.

    What makes Washington D.C.'s culinary scene distinctly compelling is its commitment to authentic representation. Whether through Elmina's African seafood offerings in Shaw or the proliferation of Asian and Caribbean restaurants, the city's food culture genuinely reflects its residents' identities rather than offering watered-down interpretations. For food lovers seeking restaurants where cultural storytelling matters as much as technique, where innovation respects tradition, D.C. deserves a place on every culinary adventurer's map..


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    3 mins
  • Scandal on a Plate: DC's Sizzling Food Scene Shakes Up the Establishment!

    Scandal on a Plate: DC's Sizzling Food Scene Shakes Up the Establishment!
    Jan 3 2026
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    Washington D.C.'s culinary scene pulses with global flair and local soul, where innovative openings blend bold flavors with hyper-local ingredients. At Maison in Adams Morgan, the team behind Lutèce delivers French-inflected small plates like smoked eel croquettes and taramasalata-filled choux buns, paired with muscat-rum daiquiris dusted in fig leaf powder, all in a cozy historic brownstone that feels effortlessly sophisticated.

    Chef Michael Mina's Acqua Bistecca in City Ridge dazzles with Italian surf-and-turf glamour, from vermentino-braised lamb pappardelle spiked with rosemary and chiles to a two-foot mozzarella stick crowned with caviar, served amid velvet banquettes and a mirrored bar. Isla Downtown channels chef Lonie Murdock's Caribbean roots into luxe dishes like Wagyu oxtail patties with fermented mango and lobster over creamy Carolina Gold rice with pigeon peas, beneath a rose-tinted chandelier.

    Dōgon on Maryland Avenue SW, led by Kwame Onwuachi, explodes with Afro-Caribbean refinement—Jamaican, Nigerian, and Creole influences in every refined bite—topping Yelp's Best New Restaurants of 2025. Qui Qui in Park View revives Puerto Rican classics like colossal Chuleta Kan-Kan mofongo amid palm fronds and live salsa, while Poplar in Brightwood Park forages Rock Creek treasures for low-waste pizzas roasted with lion's mane mushrooms and Mangalitsa pork.

    Trends lean toward cultural fusion and sustainability, with Tapori on H Street NE earning Eater DC's Best New Restaurant nod for South Asian street eats like dosas and biryanis. Local traditions shine through events like the June 2026 Taste of Soul DC at Union Market, savoring fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens amid live music, and the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle tying into America's 250th birthday celebrations.

    D.C.'s gastronomy thrives on its multicultural heartbeat—diplomatic influences, Chesapeake bounty, and urban foraging—crafting a scene that's diplomatic yet daring. Listeners, this is where politics meets plate: dive in, because the Capital's table sets the nation's taste agenda..


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    3 mins
  • Foodies Rejoice! D.C.'s Dining Scene Sizzles with Michelin Stars, Stroopwafels, and Soulful Eats

    Foodies Rejoice! D.C.'s Dining Scene Sizzles with Michelin Stars, Stroopwafels, and Soulful Eats
    Jan 1 2026
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    # Washington D.C.'s Culinary Renaissance: A City Where Tradition Meets Innovation

    Washington D.C. is experiencing a remarkable food awakening, transforming itself into one of America's most dynamic dining destinations. The city's restaurant scene reflects a perfect marriage of international influences, celebrated chef talent, and deep-rooted culinary traditions that make it essential eating territory for anyone serious about food.

    The capital's fine dining establishment continues to earn global recognition. The Inn at Little Washington, located in nearby Washington, Virginia, recently received a La Liste score of 95 out of 100, cementing its position among the world's best restaurants. Meanwhile, Minibar by celebrated chef José Andres maintains its two Michelin stars and just received a special Mentor Chef award, showcasing how established institutions continue to push culinary boundaries. Jônt, another two-star Michelin recipient, offers refined tasting menus that fuse French and Japanese cuisine, while Pineapple and Pearls delivers modern American fare with global influences that earned it a La Liste score of 86.5 out of 100.

    Looking ahead, the culinary landscape continues expanding with exciting new additions. Dutch Darlings Stroopwafels & Sweets opened early this year in Georgetown, bringing freshly baked stroopwafels and European candy selections to the neighborhood. The city's retail dining future brightens further with national chains planning significant expansion: Uniqlo will open multiple locations throughout 2026, while Dutch Bros coffee shops plan 175 new openings nationwide with D.C. among their target markets.

    Beyond brick-and-mortar establishments, Washington D.C.'s food culture thrives through its festival calendar. The 34th Annual Chocolate Lovers Festival runs February 6-8, a beloved tradition now in its third decade. June brings the Taste of DMV Food & Music Festival, while the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle, proclaimed the Official National BBQ Championship by Congress itself, represents a crown jewel of the city's culinary events. Additionally, the DC Soul Food Festival celebrates rich African American culinary traditions with live music and soulful eats, while the DC African Restaurant Week Festival showcases emerging African and Caribbean voices in the global culinary movement.

    What distinguishes Washington D.C.'s food scene is its commitment to cultural celebration through cuisine. The city leverages its diverse population and historical significance to create dining experiences that honor tradition while embracing innovation. From Michelin-starred fine dining to grassroots food festivals celebrating soul food and African cuisine, D.C. demonstrates that exceptional eating encompasses both elevated technique and community-centered celebration. For food enthusiasts, this is undoubtedly a moment to pay close attention as the capital continues proving itself a world-class culinary destination..


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    3 mins
  • D.C.'s Delicious Dining Secrets: Celeb Chefs, Global Flair, and Chesapeake Treasures Revealed!

    D.C.'s Delicious Dining Secrets: Celeb Chefs, Global Flair, and Chesapeake Treasures Revealed!
    Dec 30 2025
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    **D.C.'s Dazzling 2025 Dining Revolution: Where Global Flavors Meet Mid-Atlantic Soul**

    Listeners, Washington D.C.'s culinary scene is sizzling hotter than a wood-fired oven at Osteria Mozza, with 2025 delivering a feast of bold newcomers and triumphant returns that blend local bounty with worldly flair. Tucked in a historic Adams Morgan rowhouse, Maison leads the charge as Resy's top pick, seducing with extravagant French bites like freshly shucked Mid-Atlantic oysters and vibrant tuna crudo, paired with lively Beaujolais that dances on the tongue.

    Celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi steals the spotlight at Dōgon in Southwest Washington, channeling African diaspora roots with star-inspired dishes such as Mom Duke’s shrimp and Chesapeake hoe crab laced with crunchy bits and Ghanaian shitto hot sauce—their smoky spice igniting every bite. Nearby, Fish Shop at The Wharf hooks seafood lovers with Chesapeake rockfish grilled over flames, Maryland oysters from Tall Timbers, and a clever Virginia peanut tiramisu that nods to regional twists on classics, as hailed by the Michelin Guide.

    Trends pulse with global fusion: Sook on 14th Street, reborn from Compass Rose, serves cheesy Georgian khachapuri and Lebanese platters all day, while KAYU in Dupont Circle revives Filipino gems like spicy cassava cake and chicken tocino glazed in sweet garlic soy. Osteria Mozza in Georgetown, Nancy Silverton's bicoastal triumph, mesmerizes with wood-fired pizzas, handmade tagliatelle in oxtail ragu, and her legendary Nancy’s Favorite Trio of creamy mozzarella di bufala with anchovies and peppers.

    Local ingredients shine through Chesapeake crab at Elmina’s modern Ghanaian plates and plant-powered tacos at Chaia, fueled by farmers' markets brimming with Mid-Atlantic produce. Vibrant food halls like Union Market buzz with Latin flair at La Cosecha, amplifying D.C.'s multicultural heartbeat amid tropical cocktails and matcha manias.

    What sets D.C. apart? This power corridor fuses political hustle with heritage-driven innovation, where chefs like Onwuachi weave personal stories into hyper-local seafood and global spices. Food lovers, tune in—D.C. isn't just dining; it's a flavorful rebellion demanding your fork..


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    3 mins
  • D.C.'s Sizzling Secrets: Mouthwatering Bites and Juicy Chef Drama in the Nations Capital

    D.C.'s Sizzling Secrets: Mouthwatering Bites and Juicy Chef Drama in the Nations Capital
    Dec 27 2025
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    **D.C.'s Culinary Renaissance: Bold Flavors and Fresh Openings Igniting the Capital**

    Listeners, Washington D.C.'s food scene in 2025 pulses with electric energy, blending global influences and local bounty into unforgettable bites. Over 100 new spots opened across the DMV, from Duke’s Grocery in Potomac serving East London-inspired Proper Burgers and white truffle mac and cheese, to Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar in Bethesda dishing modern Peruvian ceviches with craft pisco sours that burst with citrus tang and briny freshness[1]. In the heart of D.C., Osteria Mozza in Georgetown, helmed by Nancy Silverton, commands attention with its massive wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and hearth-roasted dishes that fill the air with smoky allure[3]. Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi stands out too, weaving Nigerian roots with Chesapeake Bay oysters into innovative plates that honor the city's diplomatic melting pot[3].

    Chefs like Silverton and Onwuachi spotlight local ingredients—think Virginia wines from Barboursville Vineyards paired with farm-fresh oysters at the February Virginia Wine Expo[2], or Mid-Atlantic brisket at the June Giant BBQ Battle on Pennsylvania Avenue, where pitmasters from Hill Country BBQ and DCity Smokehouse smoke meats to caramelized perfection amid live jazz[2]. Trends lean toward fast-casual gems like Shibuya Eatery in Chevy Chase, slinging scratch-made ramen and katsu curry with umami depth, and Peruvian Charcoal Chicken & Grill in Gaithersburg grilling lomo saltado that sizzles with Andean spice[1]. Festivals amplify this: the DC Beer Fest at Nationals Park pours 200 brews from DC Brau alongside gourmet tacos[2], while A Taste of DMV in June celebrates regional craft spirits with finger foods under shaded beer gardens[2].

    D.C.'s gastronomy thrives on its power-player vibe, fusing Southern traditions, immigrant stories, and sustainable harvests from nearby farms into a scene that's as politically charged as it is delicious. Food lovers, tune in— this capital's table redefines American dining with bold, boundary-pushing tastes you won't forget..


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    2 mins
  • Beltway Bites: Dishing on DC's Hottest Tables and Power Meal Shake-Ups

    Beltway Bites: Dishing on DC's Hottest Tables and Power Meal Shake-Ups
    Dec 25 2025
    Food Scene Washington D.C.

    **D.C.'s Dazzling Dining Renaissance: Where Power Lunches Meet Global Flavors**

    Listeners, Washington D.C.'s culinary scene is sizzling with fresh energy, blending political buzz with bold, ingredient-driven innovation. According to Washingtonian, this season's must-try openings include Acqua Bistecca, where chargrilled steaks arrive juicy and caramelized, paired with Italian precision; Bao Bei, dishing playful Indian snacks like crispy chaat that bursts with tamarind tang; and Chai Pani, channeling vibrant street eats from Mumbai. Nearby, Dawa brings healthy Nigerian fast-casual vibes with spice-laced jollof rice, while Dok Khao elevates Thai noodles in steamy, aromatic bowls, and El Mercat fuses Spanish tapas with D.C. flair.

    The Infatuation spotlights rising stars like Eunoia, a gem for refined tasting menus, and Eebee's Corner Bar, slinging inventive small plates amid cozy vibes. Trends from Washington.org reveal a tropical cocktail surge—think passionfruit mai tais at tiki-inspired spots—alongside matcha lattes and dirty martinis shaking up bars like Stable, which offers gooey fondue dips echoing Swiss alpine comfort. Food halls reign supreme: Union Market buzzes with steamy soup dumplings at Luna Hall, La Cosecha celebrates Latin roots, and Wonder on 14th Street packs Bobby Flay Steak alongside tacos and barbecue.

    Local ingredients shine through plant-powered spots like Chaia’s seasonal veggie tacos and MITA’s Michelin-caliber Latin vegetable feasts, sourced from bustling farmers markets. Chef Kwame Onwuachi at Dōgon reimagines Afro-Caribbean heritage with dishes nodding to his Nigerian-Jamaican roots and D.C.'s diverse history, as Washington.org reports. Global comfort foods, per the National Restaurant Association's 2026 forecast, amplify this with smashed burgers and allergen-friendly twists.

    What sets D.C. apart? It's the seamless mashup of diplomatic traditions, immigrant stories, and hyper-local produce fueling chefs who turn policy talks into palate pleasers. Food lovers, tune in— this scene demands your fork..


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    2 mins