What a journey it’s been. After a year of profound loss and difficulty, the D.C. area’s food scene spent 2021 recovering in fits and starts. There was the return of indoor dining and the boon of presidential business, the support of community and the arrival of new spots —but there was also a reckoning with just how much we’d lost.

And that’s not all: Who could forget the year of cooking cicadas? The region’s beloved barbecue? Continuing controversy over restaurant working conditions?

But as well as being public and political, food is personal. Everyone’s culinary memory of the year is different, and here at DCist, we’ve made a habit of recording some of them.

Each year, our staffers take a moment to reflect upon their favorite food moments of the last 12 months. It’s a time to remember, to record, and to savor. 

Here’s our list for 2021. 

BITE OF DRAMA: A perfect bite means a juxtaposition of textures and flavors, balanced (often precariously) on a single utensil. In 2021, I found what I believe to be D.C.’s best bite– the Pla Tong Na at NoMa’s Laos in Town. The dish is served in a delightfully dramatic fashion: while the rockfish’s meat has been removed from the bone, the body and head serve as a container of sorts for the cubes of crispy fish and the accompanying slaw. And oh, that slaw — cashews, red onion, ginger, cilantro, lime, and lemongrass with a chili dressing, which perfectly complement the fish. I constantly crave that bite.  — Rachel Kurzius, host/reporter

COMFORT COOKING: I sometimes find myself going to the same spots over and over again — a habit that got worse during the pandemic. So in October, when a friend invited me to check out Pennyroyal Station, a comfort food place in Mount Rainier, Md., I all-but started salivating. The craft cocktails, pork biscuits, brisket and bone marrow mac & cheese, and winter squash lasagna earned it a glowing review from Tom Sietsema — and a glowing place in my heart. A bonus: the 1930s-era building features a funky mural from painter Yulia Avgustinovich, commissioned by the Mount Rainier Arts Commission. — Elliot C. Williams, arts and culture reporter

COOKBOOK HEAVEN: I get the same feeling in both independent bookstores and specialty grocers – a tingly sense of possibility. So you can only imagine my sheer delight when I first set foot in Bold Fork Books, an entire! store! devoted! to! cookbooks! This small but mighty shop opened in Mount Pleasant in late 2020 and immediately landed on my personal list of D.C.’s best places. I like an online recipe as much as the next gal, but there’s no comparison to leafing through a thoughtfully curated cookbook (with pictures, always with pictures!). And this place is literally full of them. My shelves are straining with all my new acquisitions these days, and the possibilities are endless. — Rachel Sadon, interim news director

COUNTER CARNE ASADA: Pre-pandemic, I worked a 9-5 in Adams Morgan, and as you can probably imagine, most of the 18th Street strip was dead during the day. But I relished sitting at the counter of Super Tacos for carne asada tacos whenever I needed a quick bite. Since it was one of the only nearby food places open during the day, it became a part of my routine. I finally went back to Super Tacos this summer once vaccinations came around, and I was so surprised at how emotional I felt sitting at the counter again. So much has changed since 2019, but not my love for those tacos. — Alexya Brown, engagement producer

DANGEROUSLY GOOD TAKEOUT: My wallet and I had the great misfortune of falling in love with Lucky Danger this year. My best friend and I made our way through most of the menu by April, ordering it to each other’s houses on multiple occasions. Our favorites, by far, were the orange beef, cashew chicken, mapo tofu, and salt and pepper fish — but we truly loved every (adorably packaged) dish we got from the short-lived D.C. location. I guess we’ll be making special trips to Arlington for more! — Mary Tyler March, strategic planning editor

ENTOMOPHAGY: One of the bright spots for me in a generally bleak year was the emergence of the Brood X periodical cicadas – a marvel of the natural world that happens only every 17 years. What better way to celebrate than to eat the plump little creatures? I geeked out exploring the world of entomophagy (eating bugs), learning how insects could provide the world with a more sustainable protein source. As for the taste? They were surprisingly neutral – fried and salted, they were crunchy and delicious; sauteed and added to spring rolls, they blended in with the shiitake mushrooms and red cabbage. — Jacob Fenston, environment reporter 

I didn’t expect this year to lead me to driving back to my house from a night of foraging cicadas in May, peeking over my shoulder every 5 seconds in panic that they’d escape the container in the backseat of my car. Cooking cicada spring rolls and banana bread with Jacob and chef Iulian Fortu was quite the treat – one I can barely stand to have to wait another 17 years to experience again. — Alexya Brown, engagement producer

GOLD IN SILVER SPRING: After living in D.C. for several years, we bought a house near Wheaton. I’m not sure if this is true for most cities, but in this area, the ‘burbs hold their own against the big city for sheer number of culinary gems, particularly for those still skirting indoor dining. The empanadas and sweet treats from Caramelo Bakery have the power to brighten the darkest work from home day. Jollibee will change the way you think about fast food fried chicken. And Mi La Cay’s banh mi might be the best value for a sandwich in the state of Maryland. Don’t sleep on Silver Spring! — Chris Chester, growth editor

PIZZA PERFECT: In a neighborhood filled with pizza spots, Del Ray posted a pizza truck into a lot just blocks from our home called Stracci Pizza. The chef calls it roman pizza and it has been a silver lining in a tough year. The crust is crunchy, the cheese is house made, and it’s served piping hot. It is part of our monthly diet now. — Dawnita Altieri, chief of staff

PUBLIC FRUIT: This year, I learned about two fig trees in the area that are on public land — one in D.C. and one near where I live in Arlington. (No, I’m not giving away their locations.) As someone who’s grown up in urban areas, I find it magical to come across fruit in the city. So if you want a scavenger hunt for 2022, try to find all the fig trees on public land in the D.C. region — or don’t! Leave the figs to me. — Cydney Grannan, producer for The Politics Hour/reporter

THANKSGIVING CLASSIC: Georgia Browns, Thanksgiving dinner with the family. Fried chicken, collard greens, and southern hospitality ain’t a bad way to spend the holidays with the fam. — Chris Remington, producer for 1A

VERMOUTH WITH A TWIST: Naturally — or, rather, unnaturally — we had to get lots of things delivered in 2020. I ran out of Dolin Dry Vermouth — which I always use in making martinis — so I ordered some online. When it was delivered, I realized that I had mistakenly ordered a different Dolin French vermouth, Dolin “Blanc”. It was fabulous. It softened the martini just a bit, without making it too sweet. —  Murray Horwitz, host of the The Big Broadcast

WANDERING EYES: After a year of strategic takeout ordering and careful study of streatery menus, in 2021, I embraced more spontaneous meals. Walking around the city with no destination and a mild hunger led me to stop at food stalls, trucks, and local spots I’d never tried before. And on the occasions I did go out, I tried to stick to daily specials and new menu additions. There’s so much uncertainty in the world, this way of eating reminded me of the joyful side of surprises. — Gabe Bullard, deputy director for audio

Previous years:

These Were Our Favorite Local Food Moments In 2020
Here’s What DCist Writers Loved In Local Food In 2019
Here’s What DCist Writers Loved In D.C. Food In 2018