Posts in Reviews
Weekend Must See: 2017 DC Design House Featuring Pop Up Café from Relish Catering

Have you guys heard about the DC Design House?   It's a nonprofit event that began in 2008 as a unique design show house for the DC Metro area in which top area designers showcase their talents into a “flowing design home” to raise funds for a local charity.

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Woo Lae Oak: A Taste of Korean BBQ in DC's Suburbs

Woo Me with Korean BBQ

KOREAN BBQ! One of my favorite interactive eating experiences of all time.  Forget Melting Pot - go to Korean BBQ for the real experience and your life will be changed forever.  Woo Lae Oak in Tyson's is one of THE most authentic and longest running family owned Korean BBQ restaurants in the area. Starting in Seoul in 1946, this family owned chain made it's way to DC's suburbs in 2006, following restaurants in LA, NYC and Indonesia.

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Rub Elbows with DC's Top Hospitality Giants at FREE Entrée DC Conference

Join Inspirational Entrepreneurs for Hospitality Industry Know-How

I'm excited to announce that the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) has partnered with The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs in holding the fifth annual Entrée DC program on September 18, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event is the city’s premier resource for connecting the food and beverage industry with DC public and private sectors, and IT'S FREE!!

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Hang on to Summer With These Hot Gelato Spots!

Dolci Gelati and WTF serve up sweet homemade gelato in the District

Summer may be winding down, but these DC sweet spots are heating up! Dolci Gelati and WTF (Woodward Takeout Food) are crafting homemade gelatos that have people, and puppies, lining up!  Gelato is perfect for back-to-school date nights, a quick treat while walking the dog, tasting flavors with an old friend, or just indulging in some decadent homemade delights.  There's something for everyone at these two spots, so go ahead, treat yourself!

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CHIKO: Favorite Restaurant of the Moment

Chinese/Korean Counter Service Draws Crowds in Barracks Row

The newest addition to the increasingly popular Barracks Row neighborhood is a Chinese/Korean collaboration called CHIKO.  Well-known DC chefs Scott Drewno and Danny Lee team up to create the ultimate Asian-fusion concept that will leave you wanting to come back every. single. day.  It is 100% my favorite restaurant of the moment, and I highly encourage you to get in to CHIKO before the line wraps around the block. 

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SoHo DC Review

Southern Hospitality, lovingly referred to as SoHo by its regulars, is a staple in the District's Adams Morgan neighborhood. Since opening in 2011, college grads and night life lovers have been calling this hot spot their favorite watering hole.  Bartenders sling drinks at a rapid pace, always with a smile, and TVs line the bar for optimal viewing of our DC teams.  It's always packed, and NOT just because of the great drink specials. 

This "bar" is a restaurant, too, you guys!  With a sprawling patio and upstairs dining room, it's not only a great place to take shots with your besties, but also a great place to grab a bite to eat at a reasonable price, or host an event.  Yes, they are known for their brunch, but I'm telling you, you should stop by for apps during dinner service, too! 

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New Meal Delivery Service, Vegetable + Butcher, takes over DC!

Enjoy Your Weekend, Leave the Meal Prep to V+B

Vegetable and Butcher is a subscription-based meal service that caters to the health-conscious (or simply the busy folk of DC). They’re based locally in DC and cook all of their food out of Union Kitchen in Ivy City.

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Top Ramen Spots in DC!

GET YOUR SLURP ON

Ramen is not just a trend, it's a movement.  The Japenese comfort classic is taking the U.S. by storm with new and interesting takes on the traditional noodle bowl.  With the help of photographer Andrew Sherman, I'll walk you through the BEST places to get ramen in DC. Not only will I tell you where to go, I'll tell you what to order! Trust me on this - we spent days trying ramen and I wouldn't steer you wrong. No matter where you choose to go, slurp with confidence and feel all of your troubles melt away through the power of ramen.

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Kyirisan

Chinese/French Soul Mates

Kyirisan is Chef Tim Ma's first DC restaurant, and I'm so thankful it has arrived!  The modern restaurant, both in decor and cuisine, is inviting and exciting with a small, well-crafted menu designed to please the masses.  The fusion of Chinese and French cuisine is exotic and unique, and is something I'm hoping to see more of if it's executed this masterfully.

As I walk in, the enthusiastic and welcoming hostess greets me and I meet my friend at the bar.  The bartender wastes no time in helping me select a beverage and surprises us both with a shot of habañero vodka.  It is terrifyingly hot, but you should try it just to prove you're not a pussy (hey peer pressure!). Keep reading to find out how I spent my evening.

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DC Cherry Blossom PUB

Calling All Cherry Blossom Fanatics!

Here’s everything you need to know about the outrageously popular Cherry Blossom Pub in Shaw, which is open through mid-April.

The Pop Up is back!  If you missed out on Miracle on 7th Street’s Christmas Bar, check out the Cherry Blossom Pub by Derek Brown. This time the bartender sorcerer is honoring DC’s Cherry Blossom obsession by filling Mockingbird Hill and Southern Efficiency with cherry blossom/Japanese-themed décor and drinks (aka MARIO!).

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Umaya - Izakaya

Japanese If You Please

City Center DC's newest eatery, Umaya, is a Japanese-style Izakaya serving classic cuisine that left a smile on my face from start to finish.  Ramen may be a growing trend in the city, but where can you get authentic robatayaki? Umaya is the place.  Chef Nick Hoang dazzles the palate with exquisitely prepared dishes such as traditional yakitori and ramen, and displays his creativity and skill with daily specials. It is rare that I love every single dish at a restaurant, but I could not get enough at Umaya - I highly recommend you check this place out before it's impossible to get a spot at the robatayaki!

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Hen Quarter Opens in Silver Spring

Get your Southern Fix in the DMV!

Hen Quarter opened its second location in the DMV last week in Silver Spring, MD, owing to the success of their flagship restaurant in Alexandria, VA.  The Southern-style restaurant features all things comfort food, boasting a family focused atmosphere and supporting sustainable agriculture in the region. I had the opportunity to check out the new brick and mortar for the grand opening and will share my thoughts below on how to approach the down home eatery.

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First Look: Ruta Del Vino

Latin American Tastiness

Ya'll know I love Petworth.  And GUESS WHAT?! There's a new guy on the block and he is AWESOME.  That guy is a restaurant called Ruta Del Vino, a Latin American food and wine spot on Upshur St. that is drawing in the crowds - and for good reason.  This corner bar leaves traditional tapas behind, and instead opts for larger share plates, appetizers, sandwiches and a handful of entrees to choose from.  Check out my first look below.

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DC Harvest

Is upscale casual a thing?

So, you may know by know that I am very into all things H Street.  What I didn't know about was this little hidden gem called DC Harvest.  Tucked away amongst construction and office buildings is DC Harvest, an upscale casual restaurant specializing in mostly local and all homemade ingredients utilizing what's in season - my fave.  Check out how I filled my belly below!

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Homestead

Comfort in the city

Petworth's Summer opening of Homestead came with mounting anticipation during the past year, as their name had been emblazoned on the wooden slats at the start of construction outlining what would soon be one of their three outdoor dining spaces. The restaurant is in the heart of Petworth, attracting millennials and foodies alike for a taste of the newest hot spot in the ever growing DC food scene.  I was excited.  I had been following the progress on Instagram, checking out the tentative menu and waiting patiently for the doors to open.  What I experienced was incredible service with passionate employees; a warm, buzzing atmosphere; and overpriced food and drink. Here's how it all went down...

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Tail Up Goat

G.O.A.T

I find it quite necessary to write about one of DC's G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) restaurants during the final week of the 2016 Summer Olympics.  What's more fitting? The restaurant's name, Tail Up GOAT, even alludes to its greatness.  This Adams Morgan eatery is inviting, cheerful and delicious, scoring high enough marks to earn it a gold medal in the Hangry District rankings.  Even more appealing is knowing that this restaurant is sourcing from local farmers around the area, including one of my all-time faves, Whitmore Farm.

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Sally's Middle Name

Sharing is Caring

Sally's Middle Name has been attracting lots of buzz since opening in June of 2015.  It has joined the likes of other H Street treasures such as Maketto, DC Harvest, H St. Country Club, and Granville Moore's. The menu changes daily and the small plates are intended to be shared - my favorite way to eat.  I'm totally the girl that reaches across the table for a bite of whatever my dining companion is eating before I try my own, #hatersgonnahate. Sally's is the perfect place to go with close friends or family for unique flavors; fresh, local ingredients; and impeccable service.  Keep reading to find out what we tried!

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/7/11/sallys-middle-name#sthash.bATVHbcG.dpuf

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Masa 14

Back At It Again

If you have ever lived in or around DC, I'm sure you've heard of Richard Sandoval's restaurant Masa 14. This Asian-Latin eatery has been a staple in my DC restaurant circuit for years but had sort of been forgotten as I was trying to keep up with the insane new restaurant openings in the District. BUT, Masa's new chef de cuisine, Ryan Ratino has put Masa back on the heat map and is absolutely slaying it with innovative, seasonal cuisine.  Check out my evening of utter bliss below.

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Twisted Horn

The Happiest of Hours

Petworth's Upshur Street continues to stay poppin' with the newest installment of the Hank's Oyster Bar family - Twisted Horn. This snacks and cocktails establishment is classy yet casual with drinks to die for and perfectly popable eats to keep you from being hangry.

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/3/29/twisted-horn#sthash.uT9Al6Li.dpuf

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Weekend Roundup: Cherry Blossom Edition

I wanna be, where the people are

The blossoms are in PEAK BLOOM, PEOPLE! It's time to join the hype and get your butts to the District!  While you're here, check out some of my favorite spots for dranks and snacks!  Take me along on your cherry blossom culinary adventures by using #hangrydistrict! xoxo

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/1/8/weekend-roundup-1816#sthash.P28tu43n.dpuf

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