The 2025 Guide Drops With No New Stars for the DistrictIf you were refreshing your feed waiting for some big Michelin news for DC on Wednesday evening, you can stop holding your breath. The 2025 Michelin Guide announcements rolled out in Philadelphia, and while other cities saw some shakeups, the District’s section landed with a soft thud.Here’s the headline: DC received zero new starred restaurants this year. Not one. Nada. Zilch.The only movement we knew about in advance was the major downgrade of The Inn at Little Washington (long the region’s lone three-star jewel) bumped down to two stars alongside heavy-hitters like Alinea in Chicago and Masa in NYC. But beyond that? No additions and no further losses (aside from Reverie, which recently closed).But! There was a little sparkle on the Bib Gourmand side, where Michelin highlights spots serving great food at a great value. Two new DC names made the list:– Your Only Friend — Shaw’s irreverent, delicious sandwich-and-cocktail den.– PhoXotic — Bloomingdale’s little pho counter serving comfort in a bowl.So while the stars didn’t align for DC this year, a couple of neighborhood favorites still got their well-deserved shine.Congratulations to those that kept their status and stars. Read through the list, let us know your thoughts:Here’s the full list:Two Stars:Inn at Little Washington JontMinibarOne Star:AlbiBrescaCausaThe DabneyEl CieloFiolaGravitasImperfecto: The Chef’s TableKinshipLittle PearlMasseriaMetierMitaOmakase @ Barracks RowOyster OysterPineapple and PearlsRaniaRooster and OwlRose’s LuxurySushi NakazawaTail Up GoatXiquetBib Gourmand Selections:Amparo Fondita AstoriaCaneDaruDauphine’sElleHitching PostIvy City SmokehouseKarizmaL’ArdenteLa TejanaLaos in TownLapisMakettoMenya HosakiOyamelQueen’s EnglishThe Red HenResident’s CafeSababaStellinaTaqueria HabaneroToki UndergroundUnconventional DinerYellowZaytinya

Harmony CPA blog interviewed Nycci on navigating the new media landscape, and protecting your brand. See all of her insight and suggestions, here.

Support the DC dining scene during Restaurant Week 2025! Listen in for the James Beard nominees and finalists, as well as Nycci's do's and don'ts during Restaurant Week!

Hey, it’s Industry Night, and I’m kicking off a brand-new residency with the YUME Group, coming to you from their stunning spot tucked into Cady’s Alley in Georgetown — and trust me, if you know, you know. I’ve known Chef Peter Kannasute and his partner-in-life-and-operations Cici Kannasute for years, and I couldn’t be more excited to spend the next few months exploring their evolving culinary world and the creative force that fuels it.First up, I sit down with the trio behind YUME: Jeff King — Co-Founder and Managing Partner, the visionary builder who turns dreams into tangible spaces; Chef Peter Kannasute — Co-Founder, Culinary Director, and Executive Chef, the meticulous craftsman behind every flavor; and Cici Kannasute — Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and COO, the heartbeat that keeps the whole operation in rhythm. Together, they share how one unforgettable omakase experience led to a partnership — and how that partnership grew into three distinctive restaurants: YUME (the dream), KYOJIN (the bold evolution), and RIMTANG (a vibrant homage to Thai street flavors). Then I’m joined by Tom Sietsema, who, after 25 years, 1,200 reviews, 50 dining guides, and countless reader letters, has officially laid down his critic’s pen at The Washington Post. Tom and I dive deep into his incredible career — the highs, the challenges, and the changing landscape of dining and criticism in DC and beyond. From the early days of anonymity to the rise of social media food culture, we talk about what’s next for restaurants, for critics, and for all of us who love to eat, explore, and tell the story of food.Listen to the full episode here or watch it here.