{Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.

CAPITANO

975 7th Street SW Capitano, a new coastal Italian restaurant inspired by the seaside villages of Southern Italy has opened at The Wharf. Located inside Canopy by Hilton at The Wharf, Capitano brings a bright, ingredient-driven approach to Italian cuisine, with a menu centered on fresh seafood, housemade pastas, crudo, vibrant salads, and seasonal specialties. Designed for everything from leisurely waterfront lunches to spritz-filled aperitif hours and lively dinners under the evening lights, the restaurant blends tradition with relaxed modern ease. The beverage program features a curated Southern Italian wine list, coastal-inspired cocktails, and a dedicated spritz menu. For more information, click here.Photo by Nina Palazzolo
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{What’s in that empty storefront? Which favorite chef is opening up where, and when? All those details and more in Coming Soon.

SNOW CRANE

PROJECTED OPENING: Spring 2026 5334-9 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD Chef Takeshi Nishikawa will be opening his modern Japanese ice cream and tea shop in Hyattsville this Spring. Snow Crane will reimagine ice cream through the lense of Japanese tradition, drawing from the flavors and techniques of Central Japan. Until the opening, you can find them at various pop-ups in the area! For more information, click here.
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All the food news that you can use.

Erin Go Bragh! Where to Go, What to Do & What...

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! In the DMV, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a day, it’s a whole weekend of celebrations. Whether you’re chasing bagpipers, raising a pint of Guinness, or just looking for a little luck o’ the Irish, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. As the Irish say, “May the road rise up to meet you,” and this weekend the road leads straight to parades and pub crawls. Here’s where to go, what to do, and what to eat this St. Patrick’s Day.Sláinte!Where to Go & What to DoJack Rose Dining Saloon March 13–17: Known for one of the largest whiskey collections in the region, Jack Rose Dining Saloon is celebrating for five full days. Expect Irish whiskey flights like the Irish Renaissance and Celebrating Midleton Distillery, plus specialty cocktails including Lucky Charms Milk Punch shots and warming Irish coffee. The kitchen is also leaning into the theme with bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, and fish and chips.Ireland at The Wharf March 14: Celebrate St. Patrick’s season along the waterfront at District Pier with this VIP Irish experience. Guests can enjoy whiskey tastings featuring Jameson and Redbreast, live music, and complimentary snacks from Kirwan’s on the Wharf, plus front-of-stage viewing and waterfront balconies for taking in the festivities.“Pigs N’ Pipes” at Dew Drop Inn: March 14: Green beer, bagpipers, whiskey, and Irish dancers from District Irish Dance—need we say more? This cult-favorite event at Dew Drop Inn brings the energy with live performances and festive vibes starting at 5:00 p.m.Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl – Alexandria March 14: Grab your green attire and head to Old Town Alexandria for one of the area’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls. Starting at The Light Horse Restaurant and Bar, guests will hop between bars enjoying drink specials, themed giveaways, and a lively after-party to end the night.St. Baldrick’s Day at Boundary Stone March 15: A little Irish spirit and a lot of heart. Boundary Stone’s St. Baldrick’s Day celebration raises funds for pediatric cancer research with volunteers shaving their heads (and sometimes their beards!) auction-style. The event has raised over $1 million since 2014.Where to Raise a PintWhen March 17 rolls around, these Irish pubs go full tilt. As they say in Ireland, “There are good ships and wood ships, but the best ships are friendships.” And the best place to make a few? A proper Irish pub.-The Dubliner: One of DC’s most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Doors open early with live Irish music all day long.-Kelly’s Irish Times: A Capitol Hill institution known for its lively crowd and impressive Irish whiskey selection.-Kirwan’s on the Wharf: A modern Irish pub serving elevated comfort food, whiskey, and waterfront views.-Ireland’s Four Courts: One of the biggest Irish celebrations in Northern Virginia, with live music and a full day of festivities.-The Auld Shebeen: A longtime favorite known for authentic Irish hospitality and live bands.-Boundary Stone: Serving up Irish pub favorites like bangers and mash alongside plenty of festive pours.What to Eat (Because St. Paddy’s Day Is Hearty!)As the saying goes, “Laughter is brightest where food is best.” And St. Patrick’s Day is all about comforting, hearty dishes. The big star of the day? Corned beef and cabbage, a classic Irish-American tradition that shows up on menus all over the city. Other favorites to look for include:Main Dishes— Shepherd’s pie— Guinness beef stew— Bangers and mash— Fish piePotato Dishes— Colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale)— Boxty (Irish potato pancakes)— Fried cabbage and potatoesDesserts & Drinks— Irish apple tart— Barmbrack fruit bread— Guinness chocolate cake— Irish coffeeAnd of course, no St. Patrick’s Day is complete without a pint of Guinness or a glass of Irish whiskey.So put on a little green, grab a pint, and remember the Irish blessing: “May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”Too many ways to be Irish and we’ve rounded up all the St. Patrick’s Day happenings on our TheListAreYouOnIt.com calendar. Go find your pot of gold!
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Tune in regularly to hear Nycci Nellis talk food trends and news on WTOP Radio.

How to Make the Most of Valentine’s Weekend...

With Valentine’s Day just days away, Nycci shares a variety of last-minute ways to enjoy the long holiday weekend in and around Washington, DC. From classic dinner-and-a-show plans to creative, experience-driven outings, she emphasizes that there’s still plenty of time to plan something meaningful. Options include live performances, theater, rooftop cocktails, museum exhibits, and interactive activities that pair culture with dining. For those looking to stay active, Nycci highlights outdoor adventures like scenic hikes followed by cozy spots to unwind, as well as unique indoor experiences perfect for groups or couples. For anyone hoping to truly go all out, she notes that hotels and spas across the city are offering special Valentine’s packages that combine relaxation, dining, and entertainment. Nycci has rounded up all of these ideas and more on TheListAreYouOnIt.com, making it easy to plan a memorable weekend.
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Take a deep dive into the Industry and beyond.

Industry Night: Susan Bae x Me: Working It Out...

Hey everyone, I’m Nycci Nellis, and welcome back to Industry Night, where we go behind the scenes with the people shaping how and why we eat and drink the way we do.I’m so happy to be back here at City Ridge. This has become such a wonderful partnership and one of my favorite places in D.C. to tell real-time stories about food and the people building our hospitality scene.Today’s show is coming to you from, Equinox Sports Club. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big believer in taking care of both your body and your mind, so being in a gym for today’s conversation feels oddly perfect.Because my guest is pastry chef Susan Bae. And if you’ve ever eaten her desserts, you know they’re so good you might need a workout just thinking about them. Talking pastry inside a gym? Honestly, on brand.Susan and I had such a heartfelt conversation about her journey, her success, and how she prioritizes her mental health and the mental health of her team. We went deep, and what she shares really illuminates what chefs go through day in and day out to make perfection look effortless on the plate.Later in the show, I was joined by Eve Vierra, the manager here at City Ridge. We chatted about how Equinox is designed to work out both our bodies and our minds. And yes, we will reward ourselves with dinner at Acqua Bistecca, because balance.Let’s get into Susan. She is the Executive Pastry Chef and a founding partner of Moon Rabbit, North America’s Best Pastry Chef 2025, a two-time James Beard finalist, and a 2026 James Beard semifinalist. Beyond the accolades, Susan is one of the most original culinary storytellers working right now, and I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation. Listen to the full episode here and watch it here. 
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