2 Days To Dine In Washington, D.C.
Over the past five years, I have spent a lot of time Washington, D.C.; my sister went to college at George Washington University, two of my friends have lived there, and I've accompanied my husband on a few short work trips. It's a beautiful, clean city and as one would expect, it's very patriotic. Visiting the monuments, the Capitol, and the Smithsonian institutions is definitely worthwhile, as is seeing the White House from the public front lawn. My other favorite neighborhood is Georgetown, a really quaint area of the city with tons of great shopping and casual restaurants. If sightseeing is your focus, the W Hotel is a great place to stay. It's located right next to the White House, and just a couple of blocks away from the monuments and Smithsonian museums. If you'd rather be close to Georgetown, I love the Park Hyatt, a modern luxury hotel just a walk away from the heart of Georgetown. Or just across the street from the Park Hyatt, The Fairmont is also beautiful and has more reasonable rates.
Although I've visited the city often, I hadn't really taken advantage of the culinary delights this city has to offer until recently. Even if you only have two days, there are a few places and dishes you have to check out.
Where to Eat:
Good Stuff Eatery: Owned by Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fame, this place has the most delicious burgers in the city. My favorite is the Good Stuff Melt, a perfectly cooked burger with a blend of Cheddar and Muenster cheese, caramelized sautéed onions and mushrooms, and Good Stuff sauce. All burgers come on a soft, pillowy freshly baked bun. I also love the fried Vidalia onion petals, and of course, the toasted marshmallow shakes.
Old Ebbitt Grill: The oldest saloon in Washington, D.C., right across from the White House, this place is historic. There's a full raw bar menu, plus a very large menu of mostly American classics with a few Italian items thrown in for good measure. I went with some friends, and we tried the Buffalo chicken wings, oysters, crabcakes, and filet; all were great. You can also visit just for a drink at the bar, if only to say you've been there (along with Teddy Roosevelt and Ulysses S. Grant; just not at the same time).
Blue Duck Tavern: Located in the Park Hyatt hotel, the Blue Duck Tavern is a sleek, spacious fine dining experience. The tables are organized around an open kitchen with a modern farmhouse feel, and the food lives up to that promise. I've had both breakfast and dinner here, and everything I ate was delicious. For breakfast I had a simple yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit parfait; the fruit was farm-fresh and sweet, the granola homemade, and the yogurt was possibly the best yogurt I've ever had in America. The dinner menu changes seasonally, but anything with crab in it is a must (right now, crabcakes are on the menu) as the crab is locally sourced from Maryland. I also loved the wood-oven-roasted quail with cornbread, grapes, and truffle jus; the quail was juicy and the grapes complemented it perfectly. And don't forget dessert — if you order one of their ice creams, it comes in a big glass pitcher with the topping of your choice, and a big wooden spoon.
VOLT Restaurant: If you're looking for an even more upscale experience and you're willing to travel 45 minutes outside of central D.C., head to VOLT. Also owned by a Top Chef alum and current Top Chef Masters contestant, Bryan Voltaggio, it's located in a 19th-century brownstone mansion in the center of the quaint town of Frederick, Md. While the outside has been maintained in the original style, the inside of the restaurant is modern and chic, signaling the style of food to come. There are a few options when making a reservation here; the front room in which you can order à la carte, the back room in which you can experience the six-course tasting menu, or Table 21, a 10-seat counter at the chef's kitchen serving a 21-course tasting menu. I was lucky enough to dine with friends at Table 21. The thing I loved most about the food at VOLT was the bright, bold flavors even in the smallest bites and unexpected places. This was one of the best meals I've had this year and was certainly worth the trip out of the city.
Experience:
Eastern Market: Located in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Eastern Market carries a variety of local, farm-fresh products. The indoor market is open all week, and on weekends there's an open-air food market including prepared foods and arts and crafts.
USDA Farmers' Market: If you happen to be in D.C. anytime from June through October on a Friday, head to the USDA summer farmers' market, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this market hosts farmers and vendors from the surrounding states and includes fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, prepared foods, baked goods, kettle corn, honey, and more.
DC Food Trucks: While there are lots of food trucks roaming the city every day, the intersection at 13th and K Street NW is a popular destination. On any given day, at least eight to 10 food trucks line up here. The best part of this is you can sample something from each truck, including tacos, fries, Caribbean food, sandwiches, cupcakes, cheesecake, ice cream, lobster rolls, bratwurst, and more. On a nice day, you can enjoy your lunch in the nearby Franklin Square Park.
While there's so much great food in D.C., the freshness and flavor of the local crab really stood out to me; and who doesn't love a good crabcake? Here's a recipe for a super easy, delicious, Maryland-style crabcake you can make at home. In the spring and summer, serve it with corn on the cob and a simple green salad; in the fall and winter, serve it with simple steamed vegetables and a baked potato.
Allison Stone is a trained pastry chef, caterer, and writer. Follow her at @bakingstoneny, and check out her Facebook page.