Eggplant Parm at All Purpose. (Photo by All Purpose).
By DCist contributor Emelyn Rude
Dish of the Week: Eggplant Parmesan
Where to get it: RPM Italian, All Purpose, Alta Strada, Filomena Ristorante, Bub and Pop’s
Cold weather is in the forecast today, which means it’s time to seek out those satisfying comfort foods for the long months ahead. One favorite for when the frost starts to bite is eggplant Parmesan, a classic Southern Italian dish of fried (or baked or grilled) eggplant layered with gooey cheese, doused in fresh tomato sauce, and then baked to perfection.
A classic of red sauce joints from Sicily to Lower Manhattan, “parmigiana di melanzana” appears on a variety of Italian and Italian-inspired menus throughout Washington. And despite its lack of meat, it can be equally as satisfying as its chicken-based variation.
If you’re ready do get your Parm on, a delicious place to hop on the eggplant train is at Filomena Ristorante (1063 Wisconsin Ave. NW), a 33-year-old staple of the Georgetown dining scene that has offered its patrons decadent portions of parmigiana for almost as long, served with a side of penne pasta and plenty of tomato sauce. And eating here comes with a distinctive old-school D.C. vibe.
Similar variations of the dish are found on dinner menus at much newer establishments like RPM Italian (650 K St. NW) and Alta Strada (465 K St. NW). At All Purpose (1250 9th St. NW), Chef Michael Friedman (also of Red Hen notoriety) makes his own food-coma worthy eggplant Parmesan. That’s if you can manage to pass up one of his pizzas. He slow roasts the eggplant “Jersey-style” in an ode to his mother’s signature home cooking.
For those who want their eggplant Parmesan in a more convenient and portable form, Alta Strada serves up those same layers of eggplant, tomatoes, and cheese topped with crunchy breadcrumbs as a sandwich on their lunch menu for just $10. A riff on this familiar sub can also be found covered in arugula, caramelized onions, and pesto at Bub and Pop’s (1815 M Street NW). Served as a half or as a whole, the team at this lovely little sandwich shop can also make your eggplant parmesan vegan on request and it’s a lighter alternative to the chicken Parmesan. Both are popular though, so get there early in the lunch rush if it’s on your list, and don’t be too shocked if you’re told that it’s all done for the day.
