Spring Ready? The DMV is officially shaking off winter and stepping into longer days and menus that feel just a little lighter and brighter. Thank Goodness! We are ready for fresh greens, farmers’ market finds, and chefs leaning into the flavors of the season.Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up the can’t-miss bites and experiences to help you eat your way into spring.-Make a night of it, see a show and grab a great pre- or post-theatre meal with our theatre + dining guide (here).-This week's list of The List's favorite beverages,  here.-Celebrate the season with festivals, pop-ups, and springtime dining events popping up all over the region (here).-You don’t need an excuse to visit a woman-owned business or celebrate women history month…here’s the list.So much more fresh, flavor-packed goodness below:MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Get Out of Town: Antigua & Barbuda’s annual Culinary Month returns this May with a full lineup of food-focused events, including Restaurant Week, the signature FAB Fest, and exclusive chef collaborations. The month-long celebration highlights Caribbean cuisine and talent, with guest chefs like Nina Compton and Tristen Epps-Long, plus experiences like “Eat Like a Local” and a finale beach party; antiguabarbudaculinarymonth.comMoon Valley Strawberry Festival: Moon Valley Farm will host its 2026 Strawberry Festival series on May 9, 16, and 23, featuring the region’s only Certified Organic pick-your-own strawberries. Guests can harvest berries straight from the field while enjoying food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities, with a special early-access day for CSA members on May 9; moonvalleyfarm.netBlue Duck Tavern Anniversary:  Blue Duck Tavern will toast 20 years in the nation’s capital as one of the city’s most iconic restaurants in June 2026. To honor this monumental occasion, nationally recognized chefs, who formerly spearheaded Blue Duck Tavern, will return to prepare their signature dishes for a special dinner gathering accompanied by merrymaking over 2006 vintages from Blue Duck Tavern's Sommelier selections. The five-course feast will take place on Wednesday, June 10, with a champagne reception and hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m.; blueducktavern.comFood & Friends: Food & Friends hosts its 33rd annual Chef’s Best on June 8 at the Marriott Marquis, bringing together 30+ top regional chefs for tastings, cocktails, and a live auction. Led by Chef Mauricio Chirinos, the evening supports the organization’s mission to provide medically tailored meals to those living with chronic illness, with a goal to raise $1 million; foodandfriends.orgDame’s Table: Hosted by Les Dames d'Escoffier Washington DC Chapter, this lively tasting event returns June 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.) at Whittemore House. Guests can explore chef-driven food and wine pairings from top local talent, plus a silent auction featuring unique culinary experiences—all supporting grants and scholarships for the next generation of women in food; lesdamesdc.orgCarla Hall One-Woman Show: Carla Hall is debuting her world premiere solo show, “Please Underestimate Me!”, at the Olney Theatre Center this summer. In the one-woman production, the award-winning chef, author, and TV personality shares a candid, humorous, and deeply personal look at her journey—from her Tennessee roots and Howard University to Paris runways. The DC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has reserved a block of seats for 2 performances: Friday, June 26 and Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $72.00, with a portion supporting scholarships and mentorship for women in food and hospitality. A special $92.00 ticket for the June 26 performance includes a post-show meet-and-greet with Carla Hall and light refreshments; buy tickets here.Family Reunion: Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s acclaimed culinary festival returns August 20–23 at Salamander Middleburg with its 2026 theme, “Folklore: A History of Storytelling.” The multi-day event brings together top chefs, panels, workshops, and immersive dining experiences celebrating Black and Brown contributions to food and culture, with tickets and packages now available; salamanderhotels.com/experience/family-reunionYottem Ottolenghi at Sixth & I: Celebrated chef and author Yotam Ottolenghi will appear at Sixth & I on October 8 at 7:00 p.m., discussing his latest cookbook Simple Too. In conversation, Ottolenghi will explore his philosophy of bold, approachable cooking and share recipes designed to make flavorful meals feel effortless; sixthandi.orgNEW & NOTEWORTHY: New, The Boulevard: Opening in the former Wilson Hardware space, The Boulevard blends modern American and Asian fusion with a nightlife edge. The kitchen—led by Chefs Homero González and Bayron Navarro with consulting from Chef Juan “Nacho” Olivera—serves dishes like lamb bao sliders, king salmon tiradito, sushi, and spicy ceviche. Upstairs, the Solset rooftop delivers cocktails from Glendon Hartley alongside DJs spinning house and down-tempo beats, making it as much a late-night destination as it is a dinner spot; boulevardva.com#Trending: Soft-serve margaritas are having a moment, and Xochi is bringing the trend to DC with its frozen twist on the classic. Pair it with the new Sinaloa Dog—a bacon-wrapped street-style hot dog topped with sautéed onions and peppers—for the ultimate summer-ready combo; taqueriaxochi.comLunch Launch on The Hill (Lunch Alert): La Collina has launched a brand-new lunch menu from Chef Kat Petonito, available Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The lineup centers on housemade focaccia sandwiches—think Italian cold cuts, pork cutlet, and eggplant milanese—plus hearty salads like crispy rice and chicken. To sip, there’s a playful twist: cocktails served in to-go pouches, including cucumber mint lemonade and white peach sangria; lacollinadc.comSpring Omakase: Nobu DC is offering a limited-time spring tasting menu through June 16, priced at $145.00 per person. The omakase-style experience features seasonal highlights like oyster with ume salsa, beef tenderloin with ponzu, and strawberry lychee panna cotta, alongside chef-selected sushi and sashimi; noburestaurants.comBurnt Hill Farm Chef Counter Experience: The Chef’s Counter at Burnt Hill Farm, led by Chef Tae Strain, debuts this May as an intimate 12-seat tasting experience overlooking the vineyard. Guests can enjoy a 7-9 course menu rooted in Asian American flavors and Mid-Atlantic ingredients, paired with estate wines, with reservations open now and service running Friday through Sunday evenings starting May 1; burnthill.farmGranchi Dal Guscio Morbido: Tarì Trattoria is welcoming soft shell crab season with limited-time dishes inspired by the Amalfi Coast. Highlights include sautéed soft shell crabs with saffron aioli, cherry tomato salad, and fregola, plus tonnarelli pasta with soft shell crab and a light peperoncino; tari-trattoriadc.comJalapeño SMASH: In honor of National Burger Month, DaBo Burger is serving up The Jalapeño Smash—a limited-time burger from Chef Elias Taddesse featuring a jalapeño-smashed patty, pepperjack cheese, charred tomato salsa, and lemon thyme aioli. Available all May at the Bridge District location, it pairs perfectly with Atlas Brew Works beers, including the award-winning Bullpen Pilsner; daboburger.comBeefy Bacon: The Silver & Sons Community Store truck in Bethesda is serving up a new breakfast lineup, including a standout bacon, egg, and cheese made with house-smoked Roseda Farms beef bacon. Served on an English muffin and paired with complimentary coffee, it’s a quick, hearty way to start the day; silverandsonsbbq.comCrab & Crush: Crab season starts now with Cowbell’s new “Crab & Crush” nights, featuring prepaid seatings at 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. Each reservation includes a 2-hour table and a first round of steamed blue crabs, plus orange crushes, $5.00 Natty Bohs, and the full menu; cowbellseafood.comSoft Serve Collab: A new limited-time collaboration between José Andrés Foods and Dolcezza offers 2 Spain-inspired soft serve sundaes from now until May 10. Highlights include a Basque Cheesecake Sundae with goat cheese, honey, and black pepper, and an Olive Oil Sundae made with Arbequina EVOO and sea salt. Available at select Dolcezza locations and José Andrés restaurants.; dolcezzagelato.comRagu for You: Vermilion is hosting a Sunday Night Ragu Family Dinner each week starting at 4:00 p.m., offering a hearty family-style Italian feast for $35.00 per person in the tavern, bar, and lounge. The meal features Chef Anthony Chittum’s slow-cooked ragu with pork spare ribs, braised Angus beef, meatballs, fennel sausage, plum tomatoes, and hand-cut egg noodles. The spread also includes a lacinato kale Caesar, sourdough garlic bread, and apple cider donuts with salted caramel and frozen custard for dessert. Guests can also pair the meal with featured red wines by the bottle selected to complement the Sunday feast; vermilionrestaurant.com NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:Beirut to America (Brunch Alert): NAJA Mediterranean is now serving weekend brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Mosaic District, centered around its standout manoushe—Levantine flatbreads topped with za’atar, cheese, lamb, and more. Expect Mediterranean-inspired egg dishes, wraps, and sweets like fig jam French toast, plus cocktails with a twist like the Apricot Spritz and Za’atar Bloody Mary; najamediterranean.comPlates of Pasta: The Wine Kitchen has debuted its refreshed spring Pasta Tasting Menu, a multi-course, $57.00 experience highlighting housemade pastas and seasonal ingredients. Dishes include pea ragù garganelli, gnocchi alla gricia with ramps, and a strawberry rhubarb semifreddo—available Tuesday through Sunday with full table participation; thewinekitchen.comBurgers For Lunch, Dinner & Dessert: Yardbird is celebrating National Burger Month with a limited-time menu featuring creative spins like a Nashville hot chicken burger, a jerk-spiced salmon burger, and a classic BLT-style beef burger—plus a standout “dessert burger” made with butter pecan ice cream sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies. Available through May; runchickenrun.comPut ‘Em Up: Flight Club DC has rolled out its new spring menu, bringing fresh energy to its Social Darts® experience with shareable plates and vibrant cocktails. Highlights include beef and lamb gyros, BBQ brisket sliders, calamari, and lighter bites like red pepper hummus and corn ribs, alongside cocktails like the Jungle Bird and Durango. Weekend brunch adds to the lineup with dishes like avocado toast, breakfast sliders, and indulgent flatbreads; flightclubdartsusa.comSunday Family Dinner: Caruso’s Grocery is launching a new Sunday Family Dinner series, offering a 3-course Italian-American prix-fixe menu for $35.00 per person every Sunday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Guests can mix and match favorites like garlic bread quattro formaggi, chicken parm, penne vodka, and classic desserts—bringing a cozy, family-style vibe to the table; carusosgrocery.comBurrito Pop Up: Michelin Bib Gourmand spot Amparo Fondita is hosting a weekday lunch pop-up from Chef Christian Irabién’s upcoming concept El Gabacho, running through August 14. The takeout-focused menu features handmade flour tortilla burritos filled with bold options like chile colorado, pollo chipotle, and chile relleno—offering a fast, flavor-packed preview of what’s to come; amparofondita.comTurkish Delights: ala has officially completed its full renovation and reopened in Dupont Circle, unveiling a bright new space and patio just in time for spring. A 2026 RAMMYs semifinalist, the Levantine restaurant is now serving updated seasonal dishes alongside dinner from Tuesday to Sunday, weekday happy hour, and weekend bottomless brunch; ala-dc.comPack a Picnic - Daru: Chef Suresh Sundas is offering a new Mela Picnic Feast designed for easy, shareable dining. Priced at $65.00 and serving 3-4 people, the takeout-only spread includes tandoori chicken, dal, mushroom biryani, pomegranate aloo, assorted breads, and gulab jamun—perfect for an al fresco meal; darudc.comTop Chef Tasting Menu: Marcus DC has launched its first tasting menu from Executive Chef Anthony Jones, a 5-course experience inspired by his personal story and culinary journey. The menu blends French technique with global influences, featuring dishes that reflect childhood memories, professional milestones, and the restaurant’s modern American perspective; marcusdc.comMediterranean Flair on H Street: Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro is rolling out a new spring menu from Chef Mehmet Sukutli, blending Mediterranean flavors with modern twists. Expect shareable mezze like whipped feta and beet labneh, plus standout plates like Adana kebab and duck shawarma. Served at weekend brunch on Saturday–Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) brings dishes like Turkish eggs, pistachio French toast, and indulgent kaitifi hotcakes; tiffanysbistrobar.comThe Cumberland Valley Coffee & Chocolate Trail Returns: The Cumberland Valley Coffee & Chocolate Trail is back with a nostalgic Friends-inspired theme, running from January 28 through May 11. Using a free digital passport, participants can explore nearly 30 cafés, chocolatiers, and sweet spots throughout the Cumberland Valley, checking in to earn points, prizes, exclusive discounts, and special offers along the way. This year’s trail includes locations such as King & Saint, Denim Coffee, Helena’s Chocolate Café & Creperie, Mummert Chocolates, The Cracked Pot Coffee Shop, and many more. The trail officially kicks off on January 28, with a launch event at King & Saint Café in Shippensburg at 9:00 a.m., where early passport holders can enjoy complimentary coffee and a pastry while supplies last; visitcumberlandvalley.com

Carla Hall, is at the top of her game. But getting there was no picnic. In this theatrical one-woman show, Carla Hall invites you to “strap in” for a wild, hilarious, and emotional ride as she reveals how she learned to embrace her own authenticity, “work her quirk” and finally step into her power. From her Tennessee roots as an awkward theater camp kid, to Howard University, to a stint on the runways of Paris, to her irreverent takes on the confusing expectations of Black excellence, crushing sexism, and the many attempts to erase her uniqueness, Carla has had to battle every step of the way to find her true voice – and wait till you hear it. In this insightful and inspiring World Premiere, Carla reveals the secret ingredients to her greatest creation: herself. This intimate exchange will leave audiences laughing, thinking, feeling and… maybe even discovering a little of their own power in simply being themselves.Carla Hall: Please Underestimate Me runs June 3 – July 12 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD. Tickets are $47-$101 and available online or by calling the box office at 301.924.3400. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, teachers, active military, first responders, and students. Visit olneytheatre.org/discounts for details.Bridging the food and theatre worlds, Honorary Producers for the production include Chef Eric Adjepong of Food Network’s “Wildcard Kitchen,” author, restaurateur, and TV personality Chef Spike Mendelsohn, food and wine publisher Nycci Nellis, Emmy-nominated journalist and producer Erin Como, and Nina Oduro, Co-founder of Black Women in Food. 

Nycci Nellis joined FOX 5 to share a variety of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas around the DMV, encouraging families to focus on memorable experiences rather than just brunch reservations. As a mother of five herself, Nycci suggested everything from exploring the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival and shopping in Georgetown to enjoying wine country outings in Virginia and relaxing spa experiences. She highlighted local favorites including The Salt Line, Aventino, Dolcezza, Osteria Mozza, and La Bonne Vache, along with wineries like Barrel Oak Winery and Three Fox Vineyards. Nycci also recommended a luxurious spa day at Balian Springs, calling it the perfect way for moms to unwind and celebrate the holiday weekend.

When Ben Lieppman is in town from Chicago, you sit down, grab a cocktail and start asking questions.This week on Industry Night, I’m at RPM Italian talking all things cocktails, bar culture, and what makes one of DC’s busiest bar programs actually work. We get into the philosophy behind RPM’s bar and how they balance polished and approachableAnd yes, we talk about the RPM Dirty Martini. We also dig into what people are drinking right now from low-ABV cocktails to non-alcoholic options and why making a great mocktail requires just as much intention as anything behind the bar. Plus:How RPM curates exclusive single-barrel selectionsKeeping cocktail menus fresh while honoring the classicsWhat great hospitality actually looks like from behind the barAnd of course, I had to ask: If Ben’s ordering for me…what am I drinking? You’ll have to tune in to find out. Watch the full episode here and watch it here.