I was giddy as a kid running around Washington D.C. checking out the Washington and Lincoln monuments, playing astronaut at the Air and Space Museum, and devouring all the news that’s fit to print at the Newseum. In between, I did my best to take in the dining scene—as delightfully diverse as our nation.
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1 / 25
Grandson Will grooves on a double American cheeseburger @ Johnny Rockets in DC.
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2 / 25
The fries @ Johnny Rockets need salt, but, they're fries & we polished them off.
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3 / 25
Start lunch @ Founding Farmers in DC w/a cranberry-cucumber cooler.
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4 / 25
Combo deviled eggs @ Founding Farmers in DC have fun toppings-lobster, crab, salmon - but we like the trad'l best.
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5 / 25
Table fave appetizer @ Founding Farmers in DC, fried green tomatoes w/2 jazzy dips: goat cheese & guacamole.
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6 / 25
With all the veggie, seafood & pasta choices @ Founding Farmers in DC, the burger & fries made the best impression.
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7 / 25
The wood-fired pizzas @ Pizzeria Paradiso in DC (Dupont Circle) all come out of this oven.
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8 / 25
An hour wait for a table @ Pizza Paradiso in DC, so we took the to-go route for their way-good pizza Margherita.
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9 / 25
Impossibly silky house-made tofu @Sushi Taro in DC comes w/mix-ins: grated ginger, scallions, salt, & soy. Loved it.
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10 / 25
Grandson Will pronounced his sushi & maki platter @Sushi Taro in DC, "amazing."
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11 / 25
Shrimp tempura @Sushi Taro in DC gave this chestnut a new lease on life.
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12 / 25
Duck pate @Restaurant Nora in DC totally rocks w/gooseberry jam, pickled red onion, arugula/fennel salad. All organic.
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13 / 25
Prosciutto-wrapped halibut @Restaurant Nora in DC had a garden of earthly delights-especially those fresh carrots.
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14 / 25
Vegetables star in every dish @Restaurant Nora & duck confit is no exception. Loved the leeks, peas, & spinach.
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15 / 25
Today's charcuterie @ Art and Soul in DC: headcheese, grainy mustard, honeyed ham, pickles, & amazing pork rillettes.
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16 / 25
There is a very good reason that shrimp & grits is the signature starter @ Art and Soul in DC. At Table 52 in Chicago 2.
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17 / 25
Medium rare rib eye came up tender & juicy @ Art and Soul in DC. You don't need the cayenne butter, but then again. . .
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18 / 25
What made the Dirty Rice taste so good @ Art and Soul in DC? I think the mushroom bolognese. Or was it the garlic? Both.
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19 / 25
Sugary sweet potato beignets @ Art and Soul in DC sounded heavy. More like heavenly.
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20 / 25
Puckery tart lemon curd is the heart and soul of the berry-topped Pavlova @ Art and Soul in DC.
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21 / 25
Thanks to Mike Isabella's Top Chef appearances, Graffiato was a top choice for our final lunch in DC.
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22 / 25
The woodburning oven @ Graffiato
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23 / 25
This fresh fennel salad w/peachy peaches & hazelnuts is a wonderful surprise @ Graffiato in DC.
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24 / 25
Fried calamari on pizza, a new one on me @Graffiato in DC & it almost worked, but the spicy aioli clashed w/tomato sauce
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25 / 25
We added mozzarella to the classic pizza @ Graffiato in DC, a touch that made it a contender.
Penny Pollack