March is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day lands on March 8, which feels like the perfect moment to be intentional about where we spend our dining dollars. The DMV hospitality community is powered by women who are building businesses, leading kitchens, shaping beverage programs, and mentoring the next generation. Some are household names. Some are neighborhood heroes. All deserve the spotlight.Here’s a look at the women behind some of the region’s most exciting bakeries, restaurants, bars, and beverage programs.Bakeries & Cafés-Baked by Yael — Yael Krigman opened DC’s first “cakepoppery,” building a nut-free and kosher bakery known for cakepops & bagels.-Here’s The Scoop — Karin Sellers turned her Georgia Avenue shop into a sweet destination and a true neighborhood gathering space serving ice cream and desserts.-Olivia Macaron — Ana Claudia Lopez founded this Georgetown macaron boutique, bringing rows of delicate French confections in celebration of joy and color.-Praline Bakery — Former White House pastry chef Susan Limb co-founded Praline in 2006, building a loyal following for sweet and savory patisserie with serious technique behind it.-Rose Ave Bakery — Chef Rose Nguyen transitioned from pediatric nursing to full-time baking, bringing Southeast Asian–inspired pastries and creative coffee drinks to Woodley Park.-Sticky Fingers — Doron Petersan built this 100% vegan bakery from scratch, winning Cupcake Wars twice and proving plant-based treats can win over absolutely everyone.-Teaism — Michelle Brown and Linda Neuman opened Teaism to deepen appreciation for tea culture, pairing thoughtful tea programs with Asian-inspired comfort food that has stood the test of time.-Uncle Chip’s — Founded by Shannon Boyle, this Truxton Circle cookie shop delivers a homespun, one-of-a-kind cookie experience.Restaurants-Ama — Chef Johanna Hellrigl blends Northern Italian tradition with a sustainability-forward philosophy, moving effortlessly from daytime café to evening ristorante.-Baan Siam — Chef Jeeraporn “Boom” Poksupthong continues to impress with bold Thai flavors, balancing tradition with evolving, spice-forward additions.-Centrolina — Amy Brandwein’s flagship Italian restaurant remains one of the most influential kitchens in the region. A multi-time James Beard nominee, she continues to mentor and advocate while delivering elevated Italian cuisine.-Fat Fish — Brittany Lewis, Linda Bacci, and Brianna Keefe bring environmentally conscious, locally sourced seafood to The Wharf.-Fava Pot — Chef Dina Daniel turned her Egyptian food truck into a beloved brick-and-mortar serving falafel and fava beans slow-cooked for 12 hours.-Fish Shop — Chef Ria Montes highlights seafood with globally influenced flavors that celebrate local ingredients.-Kayu — Chef Julie Cortes brings precision and bold flavors to the kitchen, representing the next wave of women shaping DC’s dining scene.-Lapis — Chef Shamim Popal brings generations of Afghan family recipes to this MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant from The Popal Group.-Maydan — Rose Previte transformed her global travels into one of DC’s most acclaimed live-fire restaurants, earning international recognition and accolades.-Pascual — Isabel Coss brings modern Mexican cooking while honoring traditional techniques and presenting dishes with refined precision. Her food tells stories of family and place.-Purple Patch — Patrice Cleary’s Filipino-American restaurant honors her heritage and her mother’s recipes, helping define DC’s Filipino dining story.-The Duck & The Peach — Hollis Wells Silverman built a trio of Capitol Hill concepts, including this refined New American dining room led by Executive Chef Katarina Petonito.-Thip Khao — Chef Seng Luangrath delivers deeply authentic Lao cuisine, bringing bright, spicy, and fermented flavors to the forefront of DC dining.-The Wildset Hotel — This women-owned boutique hotel in St. Michaels was founded by two sisters and  highlights female entrepreneurship throughout the property, from women artists and authors to women-founded brands and female winemakers on the wine list.Pastry Chefs-Lutèce — Ana Sofía Pino balances classic technique delivering refined desserts that feel elegant without ever feeling fussy.-Moon Rabbit — Susan Bae brings precision and personality to every dessert, layering bold flavors into pastries that are as thoughtful as they are beautiful.-The Duck & The Peach — Rochelle Cooper, Executive Pastry Chef for the Eastern Point Collective, crafts polished, seasonal desserts not only for The Duck & The Peach, but also for sister restaurants La Collina and The Wells.-Yellow — Alicia Wang leads the celebrated French-Levantine pastry program for Chef Michael Rafidi’s concepts, including Yellow and Albi. There is a reason the Za’atar and Labne Croissant is a signature.Bars, Wine Bars & Markets-a.kitchen+bar — Led by James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin, this natural-wine-driven spot champions seasonal ingredients.-Apéro & La Bohème — Advanced sommelier Elli Benchimol owns this Champagne and caviar destination, operated by an all-female executive team.-Bar Charley — Co-owned by Jackie Greenbaum, this Adams Morgan staple pairs creative cocktails with a lively neighborhood vibe.-Binge Bar — Founded by Vergie “Gigi” Arandid, this H Street spot is DC’s first fully alcohol-free bar, proving a great night out doesn’t require spirits.-Boogy & Peel — LGBTQ-woman-owned and led by Rachael Jennings, this pizza-and-cocktail spot blends comfort with craft.-Buffalo & Bergen — Gina Chersevani’s soda shop–style cocktail bar serves bagels, playful drinks, and a cult-favorite Bloody Mary.-Cork Wine Bar — Owned by Diane Gross (and her husband, Khalid), this Logan Circle institution remains a go-to for serious wine lovers.-DCanter — Founded by Michelle Lim, this natural wine bar and bottle shop champions approachable, and thoughtfully curated bottles.-Era Wine Bar — Michelle Grant, a certified sommelier and entrepreneur opened this wine bar alongside her husband and is known for eclectic global selections.-Nido Wine Shop + Market — Owned by Erin Lingle, Thea Merl, and Morgan Stana, this Mount Pleasant wine shop specializing in natural wines and Mediterranean fare.Women Behind the Bar-Allegory — Kapri Robinson, Princess “PJ” Johnson, and Kate Boushel have helped shape one of DC’s most celebrated cocktail programs, earning national and international recognition.-Press Club — Ashtyn “Ash” Harris brings creative, nostalgic cocktails and polished technique to the bar.-Service Bar — Christine Kim has been instrumental in shaping the bar’s culture and hospitality-first approach since its opening. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a reminder that the DMV dining scene is powered by women who are constantly building, and leading every single day. This month (and every month), support accordingly.

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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.

On this episode of Industry Night, I’m back at a.kitchen + bar for our final show in this space and I want to start with gratitude. Huge thanks to Ellen Yin and Eli Collins for welcoming us in and for being such generous partners. This room has been a wonderful home for thoughtful conversations.Joining me today are Chef Matt Conroy and Chef Isabel Coss, partners in life and in the kitchen, and two of the most exciting voices shaping dining in Washington, D.C. right now. From Lutèce to Pascual to the just-opened Maison Bar à Vins, Matt and Isabel have built restaurants that reflect not only what they love to cook but how they want to lead, and feed people.This conversation is full of laughter and reflection as we talk about their journey together: how they found their way to D.C., their connection with The Popal Group, and what it’s been like to grow as chefs  and collaborators through a rapidly changing industry. We dig into their passion for what’s on the plate, and why mentorship in the kitchen matters so deeply to both of them.Midway through the episode, we pause for The Caviar Connection, presented by our show sponsor Merolin Caviar. What starts as a tasting quickly turns into a creative conversation—and one of my favorite moments of the show. Isabel shares a brilliant idea: topping her Basque cheesecake with Merolin caviar, playing the caramelized crust and creamy custard against that perfect pop of salt. Upsell!From thoughtful mentorship to creative risk-taking (and yes, dessert with caviar), this episode captures why Matt and Isabel are such important voices in the D.C. dining scene.Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform. Watch the full conversation on YouTube