Barriers to entry to the food world keep coming down as entrepreneurs become more creative and consumers become hungrier for something new. If you can't afford a brick-and-mortar restaurant, start a food truck. Can't afford the truck either? Pop up in an existing space in their off-hours. If the idea of operating every day is too daunting, do some one-off selling at a grey market. If that's not your bag, what's left? Invite strangers into your home once in a while to sell them a meal. more ›

Under the guidance of Cedric Maupillier, a native of Provence and disciple of Michel Richard, Mintwood Place is serving French and American accented fare in a setting that is somewhere between bistro and brasserie. more ›

Last year, to the bewilderment of many a west coast transplant, the District was named as the country's most "veg-friendly" city. As it turns out, we appear to have defended that title, at least to a certain extent. more ›

Who doesn't love a sidewalk cafe? Getting in some people watching as you down your meal is often one of the highlights of living in the city -- though don't tell that to the people who were running this city in 1961. more ›

As inevitable as the changing seasons, the Washington, D.C. Restaurant Week is upon us once again. With today's posting of the 200+ participating restaurants, the jockeying for prime seatings begin now, if theyhadn't already. more ›

Calling all foodies and would-be good citizens: It's never been so easy to donate to a good cause. This Thursday, area restaurants will be participating in the annual Dining Out for Life event, where over 130 restaurants have agreed to donate between 25-100 percent of their night's sales to benefit Food & Friends. more ›

Since 1990, Burma’s rightful Prime Minister – and only hope for democracy – has been a political prisoner under a military dictatorship built on a foundation of violence and intimidation. Thus, struggle is nothing new for the Burmese people as civil unrest has become analogous to the country for nearly half a century. For this, one can’t help but hope for better fortune for the people of Burma, be it in their native land or right here in D.C., like the success of a small, unassuming restaurant simply called Burma. Whether owner John Tinpe realizes it or not, the decision to christen his 2nd floor establishment after the country’s unofficial title is a strong testimony to his people’s continuous fight for democracy (Burma was officially renamed Myanmar in 1989 but pro-democracy advocates refuse to acknowledge the change). more ›

Han Sung Oak in Falls Church has a familial feeling, from the large parties that occupy the main dining room and the private rooms in the back, to the service staff, willing to help you as you navigate the intricacies of their native cuisine. I was surprised to be asked "smoking or non-smoking" when I entered the restaurant, but all I smelled was grilled meat, so I don't think the seating area would have mattered.... more ›

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is hereby proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by conventions of three-fourths of the several States: "Article – Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the... more ›

Written by DCist Contributor Andrew Chriss Self-deprecating moniker aside, Pizza Zero, located along on Bethesda Avenue next to the Edgemont neighborhood in Bethesda, has plenty to offer pizza explorers looking for a slightly different experience. Perhaps the best way to pinpoint what's unique about Pizza Zero is to have all the pizza joints in the area stand up and be counted. Standing? O.K. How many of you serve pizza that I can tolerate (being a... more ›

Fried Chicken Frenzy Returns Fried chicken fanatics have something to get excited about. Both Colorado Kitchen and Ray's the Classics have restored their famous versions of the dish. Everyone lamented when Gillian Clark pulled her chicken from the menu a few years ago. But now, she is hosting burgers and fried chicken nights on December 11 and January 8 (the second Tuesday of the month). Apparently her chicken is so good that she told... more ›

From DCist Contributor Oscar Bunoan It's often said that bad luck comes in threes. In Vietnam, for example, a photo of three people represents bad luck. However, Vietnam is a restless, 22-hour flight away and Greg Cahill (owner of the successful Whitlow’s on Wilson) and Jonathan Williams (Whitlow’s general manager) are not superstitious men who rest their beliefs in ancient folklore. No self-respecting restaurateur, especially these two locally respected entrepreneurs, would conceive their restaurant on... more ›

Written by DCist Contributor Stephanie Taylor Travel + Leisure magazine has released their 2007 list of "America’s Favorite Cities", which ranks D.C. as sub-par in most categories when compared to 24 other U.S. cities. Evaluated by our own residents, we came in a lowly No. 23 on the hotness meter, and No. 22 on the stylish (that’s out of a 1-25 ranking, 25 = bad, not good.) Visitors ranked Washington No. 24 on the people-I-like-to-look-at... more ›

Sietsema responds, sorta Last week, we asked Tom for a clarification of the star-rating system. During his Dining Guide chat, he linked to his ratings code, which he posted this past Monday. One of the chatters had the same questions we had, "Have you ever considered a different system for your ratings? So often you will write a review where you rave about the food but mention something else (service, appearance) that you didn't like,... more ›

Written by DCist Contributor Andrew Chriss Enjera Eritrean Restaurant opened in Crystal City in May 2007. On an early visit over the summer, the restaurant was not very inviting from the street level, which was disappointing due to the vast amount of outdoor seating space available. The menu was crudely assembled from what seemed like loose-leaf, and the signage for the restaurant did little to sell the restaurant besides intrigue passersby to ask, "What do... more ›

Disoriented and Seeing Stars WaPo reviewer Tom Sietsema has released his 2007 Washington Post Dining Guide online. You can catch it on newsstands this weekend. At the top, Cathal Armstrong's Restaurant Eve has broken through to the four-star category, and his revamped Majestic also made the list. Newcomers Central Michel Richard (3 stars), Proof (2.5), Farrah Olivia (2.5), and Hook (2.5) also made it onto the list. A surprising omission was Brasserie Beck, which Sietsema... more ›

We'd like to take a brief moment to thank this week's advertisers on DCist. AMEX Urban Adventures, because there's shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations to be discovered. Look Me in the Eye, by Augusten Burroughs' older brother. DC Vote, which has its Champions of Democracy event on October 23rd. Busted Tees, where they have some shirts on sale for $9.99! The Heartbreak Kid, which has a special contest for DCist readers. You can win a... more ›

For those folks who tune into Washingtonian food critic Todd Kliman's weekly chogs, we know he can get a little outta control. If you were paying attention to the chog this morning, you may have noticed this rather interesting exchange: DC: Hi Todd, Several well known chefs are lending their names to new restaurants in DC... Do you agree with DonRockwell of donrockwell.com that the latter two are merely "hype-driven, let's-give-the-restaurant-critics-an-erection outposts" or do you... more ›

Neither Mozart nor Hockey Themed Washington works hard to burnish its dining credentials. D.C. fat cats who are literally fat need somewhere to eat, and they're not going to throw down lobbyist dollars for just any slop. No. D.C. is a dining destination, beckoning the up-and-coming chefs and their myriad foodie followers. People are noticing, too. From the New York Times to the National Geographic Traveler, we're a getting noticed -- enough so that a... more ›

As we noted yesterday, today is Patriot Day; so conceived to commemorate the 9-11 attacks—even though we Americans aren't the greatest at "commemorating," see: Veterans' Day, Memorial Day, etc. Just six years on, though, feelings are still raw and memories vibrant. Resiliency is a virtue of our citizenry however, and if nothing else, we can get a hearty laugh out of OBL's radical beard transformation, his decidedly porno 'stache, and threats of attack via the... more ›

We are food lovers, food enthusiasts, foodies -- whatever you want to call us. Basically we like to eat (good food). Alongside our enthusiasm comes the difficult task of trying to restrain ourselves from ordering everything off the menu when dining out. It's not because we’re that hungry, but because we want to sample all that the chef has to offer. This is one reason tasting menus are so fun. You get to try multiple... more ›

Hudson to Replace David Greggory We mentioned Hudson back in May, when the first news of the transition in store for David Greggory's Restau Lounge at 21st and M St. NW broke. We get a little more info about this change this week. In the TomChat, we learn that the change will take place sometime next month, and that—contrary to what we've heard before—Chef Greggory Hill will be heading elsewhere. Hill will be replaced by... more ›

Matchbox Coming to the Hill As if we needed any more proof that Barracks Row is flexing its muscle in bringing business to the Hill. But, we have it anyway. Last week's TomChat gave us the news that Matchbox, the over-popular Gallery Place pizza and mini-burger heaven, has signed a lease for a second location along Barracks Row—521 8th Street SE to be precise. According to Tom, the owner expects the new place to open... more ›

Written by DCist contributor Claire Compton Like the classic summer fling, Restaurant Week has officially left us, leaving us with a bittersweet mix of emotions. The lucky ones are gushing about that new restaurant they discovered and how they were wooed with an impossibly fantastic meal that didn't drain their wallet. Others weren't so lucky. They began the week with a wide-eyed idealism, believing this meal was going to be the one, only to be... more ›

As far as I know, I am the only DCist Food and Drink staffer who does not have Restaurant Week reservations. It wasn't because I forgot or because I signed up too late to score a reservation to my preferred destinations. Unlike Adam, I am not a big fan of Restaurant Week, and it was a conscious decision to skip out on what might be considered prime time dining for a cheapskate like me. First... more ›

As we've told you already, it's Restaurant Week here in Washington, which means those of us left in town can eat three course meals at some of the best restaurants around for $20.07 at lunch and $30.07 at dinner. As a Restaurant Week proponent, I view this unofficial dining holiday as a chance to try out places I've never been, and think restaurateurs should use the time as an opportunity to reach out to people... more ›

Last Chance for A.V. Sad, we know. Get it before it becomes a half-empty office building. Restaurant Week Starts August 6 There are a few good things about Washington in August. First, it's so damned hot and soupy that there are about 100 times fewer tourists. Second, Congress leaves town and tons of governmental types take vacation, so town slows down considerably, leaving rush hour slightly less enraging. Third, it's when the summer version of... more ›

Taking a trip down into Virginia’s Wine Country is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of D.C. without having to travel too far or spend an inordinate amount of money. You can get there and back in a day, but with so much scenery and serenity to soak up you should take a few days to enjoy it all. No matter how long you decide to stay, one stop... more ›

Veg D.C. Names Best Veggie Restaurant VegDC.com has tallied the votes for the area's best vegetarian restaurant, and the award goes to Java Green, the downtown eatery that serves a wide range of vegetarian and vegan cuisine (and really great coffee drinks) in the Farragut North area of downtown. Even an avowed meat-lover like me can find something to enjoy at the busy restaurant; the fake meats they use taste and feel nearly like the... more ›