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City Cast DC

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Washington, D.C.

Paola Velez is an award-winning, D.C.-based pastry chef who you may recognize from shows like “Selena + Chef” and “What Am I Eating” with Zooey Deschanel. We chatted with her about her favorite local restaurants and how she’s celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Velez moved to D.C. six years ago, working in the kitchens at Iron Gate, Milk Bar, Kith/Kin, and Maydan. The pastry chef describes her style as “whimsical, playful Americana foods - bursting with sazon and Latino flavors.” She’s working on 

But for Velez, food is about more than just eating. It’s about creating a third space for people to relax and connect, especially in D.C. “The thing that makes D.C.’s Hispanic culinary scene so beautiful is the love and support we all have for one another. We are continuously learning and growing our community.”

Lutece and Anju are Velez’s favorite spots in the District right now, both helmed by Latino chefs: Lutece with Chef Isabel and Anju with Chef Angel. “Both restaurants are unique in flavor and execution,” said Velez, adding that “maybe the upcoming Pascual will join this duo!”

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month With Food

Velez encourages people to think outside the box. Support can be monetary, but it’s also about following, sharing, and visiting your favorite local eateries and businesses. “Most importantly, don't just support Latino businesses in D.C. during Hispanic Heritage Month — support them year-round. I promise, you won't be disappointed with a little sazon in your life!”

Velez’s new Urban Outfitters clothing line

, designed to honor the undocumented workforce in the restaurant industry. The embroidery proclaims "te quiero mucho," or “I love you a lot” in Spanish.

Paula Velez is an award-winning, D.C.-based pastry chef who you may recognize from shows like “Selena + Chef” and “What Am I Eating” with Zooey Deschanel. We chatted with her about her favorite local restaurants and how she’s celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Chef Profile: Paola Velez

Food & Drink

 is Shaw’s hottest new pop-up, serving up spectacular, Palestinian-inspired breakfasts by chef Marcelle Afram and baker Jill Nguyen (of Capitol Jill Baking). Check it out before it’s gone!

The pop-up is open 8:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays through Sept. 29. It runs out of the kitchen at Right Proper in Shaw and is available for pick-up and delivery.

The small menu packs a punch with traditional baked goods, hearty egg dishes, and unique drinks. Afram says his three must-try dishes are:

 – a seared halal beef Arabic-style mortadella is pressed in pita with American cheese, soft-boiled eggs, olive spread, and sumac caramelized onions. “There’s no better item on the menu that showcases my upbringing as a Palestinian American,” says Afram.

a sourdough sesame “not-a-bagel” by Jill Nguyen, served with fresh tomatoes in a herb-y marinade and a side of olive oil & za’atar.

 – pinched pancakes stuffed with house-made ricotta and rose water, topped with berries and orange blossom syrup.

Afram is working on more pop-ups and neighborhood drops with more breakfast-focused items. “Wanting to do a breakfast pop-up was always on the backburner. After a successful dinner pop-up in March, I really got the itch to bring my breakfast menu idea to life,” said Afram. He also hopes to bring both the Shababi Diner and his other concept, Shababi Chicken, to a brick-and-mortar in the near future.

Where else can I find Palestinian food in D.C.? 

The city has seen a surge of Palestinian food concepts in the last few years. Afram shared a few of his other favorites: 

“Jinan Deena has a great concept called Bayti by Jinan. Z&Z is a must; their manoushe is incredible. Of course, Michael Rafidi is painting this town with Palestinian flavors. The success of Albi and Yellow is so meaningful for the community. And one can’t talk about local Palestinian cuisine without shouting out Mama Ayesha’s, who has been proudly serving Palestinian food in Adams Morgan since the 1960’s."

Shababi is Shaw’s hottest new pop-up, serving up spectacular, Palestinian-inspired breakfasts by chef Marcelle Afram and baker Jill Nguyen (of Capitol Jill Baking). Check it out before it’s gone!

Shababi Pop-Up Brings Palestinian Diner Food to DC

Get up to date with who and what is coming to the D.C. food scene this fall!

This breakfast sandwich shop began as a pandemic pop-up by the chefs behind Anju and Chiko. Its brick-and-mortar opening soon will serve its classic egg sammies, lunch clubs, and brunch cocktails.

Arlington’s favorite pub just reopened after being closed for over a year after a driver crashed into the building, injuring patrons and burning the structure.

An upscale cocktail bar/lounge is opening on the top floor of the Morrow Hotel this fall. The sultry space will have live music programming from go-go to bossa nova, caviar service, and small bites.

This cocktail and small plates bar is supposed to evoke a Bedouin tent-feel. Get ready for Moroccan tagines, Tunisian pastries, and absinthe tea service from the co-owner of Maydan.

DC Restaurants Opening This Fall

The Square - D.C.’s newest food hall – opened yesterday on K Street NW, almost taking up a whole block. The hall’s initial opening includes six vendors and a 42-seat atrium bar. We tried every single vendor that was open; here’s the skinny (or should I say the square?).

Right now, they are open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. They’ll extend to weekends and dinner service in the coming months.

It’s giving upscale mall food court meets hotel lobby. The space is very big and very loud. Good for a work happy hour or co-worker lunch, but maybe not for that intimate date you’re planning.

Chefs Richie Brandenburg (creator of Union Market) and Rubén García (creative director of José Andrés Group) have brought together a thoughtful and unique selection of vendors. The prices tend to run a little high for a food hall. We paid $17 for the sobrasada sandwich and $19 for the sausage and veggies platter, but the portions were substantial.

Of what we got, the oysters and meats were delicious. Service was very fast though, and we left full and happy. But some of the other dishes felt like meals we could make ourselves. Will we go for this over Grazie Grazie down the block? Right now, probably not. But we’re excited to see where it’s headed.

The market will be opening for dinner service this fall, with several new vendors including Flora Pizzeria, Cebicheria Chalaca, KIYOMI Sushi by Uchi, and more.

The surrounding blocks are packed with cheap and great lunch options, so the Square has some competition. However, Chef Brandenburg told us he plans to make this a destination, not just an office lunch spot. The team’s planning comedy nights and live music events. Could this be the gem we need to draw people downtown again?

Have you tried it? What did you think?

The Square - D.C.’s newest food hall – opened yesterday on K Street NW. The hall’s initial opening includes six vendors and a bar. We tried every single vendor that was open; here’s the skinny (or should I say the square?).  

A Look At DC's Newest Food Hall: The Square

September might be the hottest food month of 2023. There are not one, but TWO food halls opening, a brekkie pop-up, a new restaurant by the owners of Le Diplomate, and more. Here’s what’s coming to D.C.’s food scene this fall.

This long-awaited K Street food hall opens Sept. 5, with 16 vendors taking up an entire downtown block. They include Spanish tapas, BBQ, sushi, oysters, and more.

From the makers of Le Diplomate and St. Anselm’s, this Mexican restaurant is an instant classic. It boasts an in-house masa program that turns corn into tortillas and 200 agave spirits. Reservations are now open.

This beloved Filipino vendor is branching out of The Block food hall with a cafe (opening mid-September) and a restaurant (opening TBD). The cafe menu includes Filipino pastries, breakfast sandwiches, silog, and purple yam lattes.

A Palestinian breakfast sandwich and pastry pop-up is coming to Shaw’s Right Proper Brewing from September 7-29. The all-star team includes chef Marcelle Afram and Jill Nguyen of Capitol Jill Baking.

Essentially a giant beach club, the Cove has lounge chairs, party games, and tropical cocktails. Opening in September.

The Al Volo team is bringing Italian to Upshur Street with homemade pastas, whole fish, and New York steaks.

This new food hall opened Friday and already has a full lineup of vendors, including Lebanese kebab shop Yasmine, smoothie shop Soul Rebel, and Pizza Serata.

September might be the hottest food month of 2023. There are not one, but TWO food halls opening, a brekkie pop-up, a new restaurant by the owners of Le Diplomate, and more. 

Two New DC Food Halls and Other Openings 

What are your most fiery takes on D.C.’s food scene? Washingtonian’s food editor Jessica Sidman 

 to hash out some restaurant hot takes that might make your blood boil.

The best half smoke in DC isn't at Ben's Chili Bowl.

“I think that the best half smoke in D.C. is actually at a somewhat nearby restaurant called Meats and Foods. They make their own sausages, they make their own chili, and it's just a notch above in quality. I love Ben's, but a lot of its appeal is tied up in its history and character.”

Georgetown Cupcake is better than Baked & Wired.

“The Georgetown Cupcakes are a little more petite and you know, that quick sweet treat, whereas I feel like Baked and Wired is really that full dessert experience. So, you know, maybe if you have that preference.”

QR code menus are actually better than paper menus.

“Paper menus are overrated. Sometimes they're a little greasy or gross, and there’s a practical element if a restaurant changes its menu every day. With a QR code, everybody scans it, everyone's good to go. I love when you can order and pay on your phone.”

$20 for a good sandwich is totally reasonable.

“A sandwich is actually an incredibly complex dish. If you do it well, there are a lot of expensive components. $20, if that was a composed dish, no one would blink an eye. I don't think it should necessarily be any different if you put it between bread.”

“I think [people] say this to be nonconformist, right? I think Call Your Mother is … fine. Is it my first choice? No. Their bagels are a little sweet for my taste. But, if you're trying to be non-conformist, go find a place that you actually really like and then tell me about it, so I can review it.”

Do you agree with these hot takes?

What are your most fiery takes on D.C.’s food scene? Washingtonian’s food editor Jessica Sidman joined us on our podcast to hash out some restaurant hot takes that might make your blood boil.

DC Restaurant Hot Takes With Jessica Sidman

 just opened its first D.C. location in Blagden Alley, so of course, we had to try it out.

The cocktails range from $19 - $24, so my expectations were high, and the bartender delivered. We got the Maglia Rosa, with umeboshi vinegar and bubbly, and the Riot Act, with Japanese whiskey and douglas fir brandy. A surprise hit was the non-ABV cocktail Flying Free, which has spiced “spirits” and honey foam. The menu has almost 30 options (including three non-alc options) categorized by mood.

The bar has a warm and intimate vibe. It also has a covered outdoor bar area that almost doubles the seating space. Overall, it’s perfect for a nice date night or cozy chat with a friend.

Reservations are booked through mid-September, but they encourage walk-ins. If you’ve got some flexibility, it’s worth a short wait.

Try going on a weeknight! We got seated right away.

Ask about the bar snacks. They’re not on the menu, but they have crystal cups filled with lemon-marinated olives, spiced nuts, and other bites.

Trust the bartenders. If nothing on the menu calls to you, ask them to whip up something special.

Famous New York-based cocktail bar Death & Co just opened its first D.C. location in Blagden Alley, so of course, we had to try it out.

Is Death & Co Cocktail Bar Worth It?

Last week, the Washington Post put out a list of the 

, and wouldn’t you believe our team somehow ended up co-working from bakery #3 mere days later.

Sharbat is an Azerbaijani pastry shop in the heart of Adams Morgan. Their counter is brimming with phyllo delicacies, from pakhlava to sausage rolls, but we were there, first and foremost, for cake.

The honey cake had made the WashPo list, and it was the perfect level of sweetness, albeit a little dry. But as a team, we were most into the pistachio and apricot slices. They had the best frosting-to-cake ratios, and the flavoring was rich, but not overpowering. The apricot slice especially mastered the sweet/tangy balance, a trait shared by the raspberry cake.

Then, we backed our way into lunch, which actually outshined dessert. We got the:

Gurza (beef dumplings served with yogurt and a tomato sauce)

Farmer’s sandwich (egg, soujouk, grape tomatoes, cilantro, and spinach, in between two slices of a flaky spiced dough called goghal)

Soujouk Egg (an omelet topped with spicy sausage, with a fluffy loaf on the side).

It all smelled amazing and tasted even better. No notes.

 by food critic Tom Sietsema, and then listen to this podcast episode to 

hear all of his juicy, food industry secrets

Last week, the Washington Post put out a list of the city’s best cakes, and wouldn’t you believe our team somehow ended up co-working from bakery #3 mere days later.

Review of Adams Morgan Bakery Sharbat

D.C. loves its tiny speakeasies, at the tip-top of rickety row houses … in theory. But staircases, narrow halls, and crowded tables can result in dangerous and unwelcoming situations for many.

One in four adults in D.C. have a disability, yet  D.C. bars are struggling to get up to snuff on accessibility. Kristin Duquette — former U.S. paralympic swimmer — shared her favorite mobility-accessible bars with us.

 This drinking hall/events space is enormous. There are no steps into the bar, and it has an elevator down to the dance floor, which is spacious and wheelchair-friendly.

: Fun for drinks and games with friends, this bar has a mix of high- and low-top tables, no stairs to enter, and lots of fun games to play.

 This brewery has 10 rotating beers and an in-house food truck. It is one floor with a ramp and long picnic-style tables.

This lowkey bar is small, but friendly with accessible bathrooms, handrails, and a variety of table types. However, it can get quite crowded.

 Aslin is built in an old parking lot with a mix of seating. There are no stairs and it’s completely paved. It’s also mostly outdoors.

 A queer-friendly bar and cafe that hosts tons of events. They have a permanent ramp to the first floor, accessible bathrooms, and no strobe lighting. Plus, they encourage masks and have ASL interpretation at events.

Let’s make drinking more accessible!

DC's Most Accessible Bars 

As a team of remotely working journalists constantly searching for a quiet place to write these are our tried-and-trues. These places have good coffee, great wifi, low(ish) noise levels, and don’t give you the stink eye for nursing one cappuccino for five hours. 

Pro tip: do NOT forget your noise-canceling headphones.

 – The pastries and coffee here are truly divine. The tables are plenty big for spreading out. Plus, you can sit on the patio overlooking the water and pretend like you are in Paris.

 – Oooh the beignets .... worth getting powdered sugar all over your laptop for. And the wifi here is top notch.

– There’s no place better for rolling right into happy hour, but be prepared to use your hotspot. The wifi gets shoddy when it’s crowded.

 – Amazing refillable drip coffee + quiet vibes = the best work spot in town. They also have a huge covered patio (with pizza). Sometimes, it’s hard to grab an indoor spot on weekdays so go early.

 – The lobby of The Line is a secret gem. The big tables, subdued atmosphere, and comfy chairs are perfect for working all day. Grab a coffee at its coffee shop No Goodbyes.

 – The cafe you know and love, but this time in the lobby of the Apollo Hotel, which has three floors of comfy window chairs for quiet solace.

As a team of remotely working journalists constantly searching for a quiet place to write these are our tried-and-trues. 