Featured Food Finds: TheList’s List of Ways to Indulge
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:
Twenty Years of Mandu: Mandu is marking its 20th anniversary in 2026 with a monthly collaborative dining series celebrating 2 decades in D.C.’s dining scene. The yearlong series brings guest chefs into the kitchen for special tasting menus inspired by Mandu’s Korean roots and the shared language of global cuisines. Scheduled dinners include Tuesday, April 7 with Chef Masako Morishita of Perry’s and Chef Matt Adler of Caruso’s Grocery and Cucina Morini; and Thursday, May 7, an AAPI Month celebration with Chef Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto and Chef Steve Chu of Ekiben; Click here for more info.
Golden Corral Fundraiser: Golden Corral has launched its 15th annual Camp Corral fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $1 million by May 10 to send children of wounded, ill, and fallen service members to free summer camp. The brand is a founding partner of Camp Corral, which has served more than 38,000 military children since 2011. Guests can support the initiative at participating restaurants by purchasing donation stars, rounding up their checks, or contributing online. To date, Golden Corral and its guests have raised more than $19 million for the program; campcorral.org
Blue 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.com
Carla 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.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Deep Dish in Old Town: The Commodore Old Town has opened in Alexandria, bringing the neighborhood bar’s signature “Five-Star Dive Bar” energy across the Potomac. Owners Rob Van de Graaff and Steve Kim have expanded the concept from its original D.C. location with a lively space featuring multiple rooms, a game room with pool and darts, free-play arcade games, and a street-side patio. The menu includes Chicago tavern-style pizza alongside pub favorites like jumbo wings, burgers, and a massive Bavarian pretzel, plus new dishes such as spicy bucatini and Cajun seafood pasta; commodoredc.com
Pasta Tasting Menu: The Wine Kitchen in Leesburg is offering a Pasta Tasting Menu, a multi-course dinner experience highlighting housemade pastas and seasonal ingredients. Priced at $57.00 per person (with full-table participation required), the tasting rotates based on availability and has recently featured dishes like Mushroom Tortellini en Brodo, Truffled Alfredo with spaghetti and truffle butter, and Lobster Ravioli with crab fat sauce. The meal concludes with dessert such as a Gianduja Candy Bar with hazelnut chocolate mousse and amaro ice cream. Optional wine pairings are available for an additional cost; thewinekitchen.com
Portion Control: South Block has introduced new protein-packed smoothies and expanded its mini bowls lineup across all locations. The new drinks include the Daily Protein Smoothie with 37 grams of whey protein and the Incredible Bulk Smoothie with 27 grams of whey protein. The brand is also rolling out Mini Bowls for every açaí and smoothie bowl on the menu, giving guests a smaller, more flexible portion option while keeping the same flavors made from real fruits and ingredients; southblock.com
More Slice & Pie: Slice & Pie has opened its third D.C.-area location at 1750 H St. NW, expanding the award-winning pizzeria’s footprint in the city. The 1,200-square-foot space is the brand’s largest yet and includes a glass-enclosed dough production facility that will supply its other locations on 14th Street and at Union Market, with a fourth location planned for The Parks at Walter Reed. Founded by master pizzaiolo Giulio Adriani, Slice & Pie has built a strong following for its New York- and Detroit-style pies; sliceandpie.com
May the Force Be With You: Apéro is offering a limited-time tasting menu inspired by the cinematic worlds of George Lucas. The playful 4 or 6-course experience draws on the spirit of Lucas’s storytelling through bold, imaginative dishes paired with cocktails and wines designed to match each course’s theme. The menu creates a cinematic dining journey that transports guests through flavor, presentation, and storytelling; aperodc.com
Carla Hall’s Southern Fried Chicken: Celebrity chef Carla Hall has returned to the D.C. dining scene with bumblebirds, a Southern fried chicken and cocktail “pop-in” on Capitol Hill created with Sunnyside Restaurant Group. The fast-casual concept features fried chicken sandwiches with regional toppings, tenders and nuggets, homestyle sides like biscuits and pimento cheese, plus an iced tea and lemonade bar and Southern-inspired cocktails. The colorful space also showcases Hall’s personal design touches, including her handcrafted paper yo-yo quilts and a custom mural; bumblebirds.com
Happiness=Lunch (Lunch Alert): Bonheur in Easton, Maryland is now serving lunch for the first time, with Executive Chef Doug Potts bringing Eastern Shore–inspired comfort dishes to the midday menu Tuesday through Saturday from 12–4 p.m. The new offerings include a Traditional Maryland Shore Chicken Salad served on a pressed croissant, savory and sweet crêpes like Ham, Cheddar & Potato and Crêpe Suzette, and a Roasted Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with vegan pesto. The charming café is part of Bluepoint Hospitality led by James Beard Award–winning chef Harley Peet; bonheureaston.com
Ragu 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
Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves: Hank’s Oyster Bar x Purple Patch: In honor of Women’s History Month, Hank’s Oyster Bar is teaming up with Purple Patch for a month-long collaboration led by chefs Jamie Leeds, Shannan Troncoso, and Patrice Cleary. The limited-time menu features Fried Goose Point Oysters with Hank’s tartar sauce and Purple Patch’s suka, Patrice’s Lobster Pancit with Maine lobster and shiitake mushrooms, and a Spicy Calamansi Margarita made with roasted jalapeño tequila and house calamansi sour. A portion of proceeds from the collaboration will benefit N Street Village, which supports local women experiencing homelessness; hanksoysterbar.com
Hello, Friend: Kevin Tien x Alan Bo: Chef Kevin Tien debuts Chao Ban at Tysons Galleria alongside longtime partner Alan Vo. The fast-casual Vietnamese-American counter concept draws inspiration from the pair’s upbringing as first-generation Vietnamese raised in Louisiana, blending Southeast Asian flavors with familiar American formats. The opening menu will feature dishes like pho noodles, a catfish bánh mì, rice platters, and shareable snacks such as Impossible xiu mai and honey pecan shrimp; tysonsgalleria.com
We All Want a Love Bazaar: Chef José Andrés is bringing his acclaimed steakhouse concept to the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, replacing The Bazaar in the historic Old Post Office building. Bazaar Meat centers on premium cuts and fire-driven cooking, with dishes like ribeye “chuleton,” bone-in New York strip, Japanese wagyu, and a traditional whole suckling pig for communal dining. The menu will also feature signature Bazaar favorites—including the Cotton Candy Foie Gras and Caviar Cone—alongside seafood, jamón, and vegetable dishes, plus a multi-course tasting menu for a more immersive experience; thebazaar.com
After-Hours: Maison Bar à Vins is hosting “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” a late-night event on Sunday, March 8 starting at 8:00 p.m. The evening, in collaboration with Press Club and sponsored by Pierre Ferrand/Planteray, will feature late-night bites, wine cocktails, and a live DJ. Press Club’s Ashtyn Harris will also be guest bartending for the night; maisondc.com
Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves - Dolcezza x Chef Tseng: For Women’s History Month, Dolcezza is teaming up with Chef Seng Luangrath (Baan Mae, Thip Khao, Padaek) on a limited-time White Rabbit Soft Serve Sundae launching March 9 through March 31. Inspired by the iconic Shanghai milk candy, the sundae features White Rabbit soft serve topped with Dragon’s Beard sesame-peanut crunch, crispy scallion wonton noodles, peanut brittle, fresh lime zest, and a haw candy disc. The collaboration will be available at select Dolcezza locations (including H Street, CityCenterDC & the Hirshhorn) as well as Luangrath’s restaurants; dolcezzagelato.com
Sunday Gravy: Caruso’s Grocery - Pike & Rose is now hosting Sunday Family Dinner, a weekly 3-course dining experience designed for sharing and classic Italian-American comfort. Available every Sunday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m., the $35.00 per person prix-fixe menu allows guests to select 1 dish from each course, offering a generous lineup of Caruso’s favorites in one satisfying meal. The special brings back the tradition of gathering around the table for hearty pastas, comforting mains, and nostalgic desserts; carusosgrocery.com
Iftar Offerings - Lapis: The MICHELIN Bib Gourmand–recognized Afghan restaurant is offering a Ramadan prix-fixe menu available through March 19 in Adams Morgan. Priced at $65.00 per person, the Iftar meal is designed to break the fast with comforting Afghan specialties, with example dishes including crispy pakora, beef kofta in tomato sauce, cardamom-scented rice pudding, and green or black tea; lapisdc.com
Iftar Offerings - Thompson Restaurant Group: Thompson Restaurants is expanding access to Halal dining across the DMV just ahead of Ramadan. Effective immediately, all chicken and beef offerings at every Matchbox location, as well as Ms. Peach’s and Makers Union in Ashburn, are now available Halal. All Big Buns locations offer Halal Angus beef, with the One Loudoun outpost also serving Halal chicken. The update responds to growing demand for Halal-certified options without compromising on menu variety; thompsonrestaurants.com
Iftar Offerings - Joon: In honor of Ramadan, Joon is offering a $45.00 per person Iftar menu available February 17 through March 19. The evening begins with stuffed Medjoul dates with walnuts and brown butter, followed by hot pistachio soup with leek, ginger, saffron, and sour orange. Guests can then choose between roasted harissa chicken with toum or lamb shoulder pavé, served alongside labneh harra, grilled carrots with harissa and lemon, dango (stewed chickpeas with tahina, Aleppo chile, and lime), torshi liteh, and house lavash; eatjoon.com
Iftar Offerings - NAJA Mediterranean: In observance of Ramadan, NAJA Mediterranean is offering special Iftar pre-set menus nightly after 5:30 p.m. from February 18 through March 20. Priced at $35.00 and $55.00 per person, both menus begin with dates and Shorbat Adas, a traditional lentil soup served to break the fast. The $35.00 option includes a choice of mezze followed by entrées like Roasted Half Chicken with markook and toum, Salmon with vermicelli rice, Adobo Cauliflower, or a Chicken Shawarma Platter, plus dessert. The $55.00 Ramadan edition of NAJA’s Table is designed for sharing, featuring grape leaves, kibbeh, signature spreads, fattoush, cheesy pita, and a mixed kebab platter with roasted chicken, koobideh, kofta, and shrimp, along with dessert selections; reserve your table here.
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Plant-Based in Penn Quarter: Fruitive has opened a new Penn Quarter location, expanding its footprint with a larger, 2,500-square-foot space and an expanded menu. The fast-casual concept is known for its 100% plant-based, organic offerings, including cold-pressed juices, smoothies, grain bowls, vegan waffles, and açaí bowls made with specialty fair-trade fruit sourced directly from Bolivia. Founded in 2015 by Gregg and Katie Rozeboom, Fruitive has become a mainstay in D.C.’s wellness-focused dining scene, emphasizing clean ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and nourishing options for breakfast, lunch, and on-the-go dining; fruitive.com
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My: Chef Jon Krinn is debuting a boundary-pushing seasonal tasting menu featuring rare proteins like wood pigeon, kangaroo, and sturgeon in a carefully curated multi-course progression. Available for the next 4 weeks, the menu highlights Krinn’s signature approach, pairing globally inspired flavors with refined technique and artful presentation. Tucked away on Fairfax Boulevard, Elyse has earned a reputation as a Northern Virginia hidden gem, offering adventurous diners an intimate tasting experience that pushes the boundaries of fine dining; elyse.lila.llc
Pasta with a View: Capitano has opened at The Wharf inside Canopy by Hilton, bringing a coastal Italian dining experience inspired by the seaside villages of Southern Italy. The menu highlights fresh seafood, crudo, housemade pastas, vibrant salads, and seasonal specialties, alongside a beverage program featuring Southern Italian wines, coastal-inspired cocktails, and a dedicated spritz menu. The bright, reimagined space evokes a relaxed Southern Italian piazza with floor-to-ceiling windows, ceramic tile accents, and waterfront views, making it a new go-to for aperitivo, lunch, and dinner along the Wharf; capitanodc.com
Grab n Go (Lunch Alert): HI/FI Tex-Mex BBQ at Mosaic has introduced a new $15.00 lunch special featuring 2 Tex-Mex tacos, 1 side, and a soda, available as a weekday-to-weekend deal. Guests can mix and match tacos like the Orange Soda-Braised Carnitas with American cheese, curtido, smoked crema, and chicharrones, among other rotating options, making it one of Northern Virginia’s more crave-worthy midday steals; hifitexmexbbq.com
Gelato on 14th: Pitango Gelato has opened a new location along the 14th Street corridor, marking the brand’s 8th shop in the region. The authentic Italian gelateria and coffee bar serves hand-spun gelato and sorbet made from scratch with high-quality ingredients—think Sicilian pistachios and single-origin chocolate—alongside freshly brewed coffee, Italian baked goods, and seasonal sipping chocolate. The 1,027-square-foot space features Pitango’s signature mahogany-and-marble counter and indoor seating, bringing the company back to the neighborhood where it first planted its D.C. roots nearly two decades ago; pitangogelato.com
Lasagna for Brunch, Lasagna for Dinner (Brunch Alert): L’Ardente has expanded its weekend hours and introduced its first-ever happy hour. On Saturdays and Sundays, the kitchen now runs all day with no break between brunch and dinner, and the full dinner menu is available starting at 11:00 a.m. Weekend brunch dishes are served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring options like Avocado Toast with lemon ricotta, French Riviera Toast, Egg & Cheese Pizza, Eggs Benedict, Steak and Eggs, and The Works. Brunch cocktails include a Caprese Bloody Mary, Sorbetto Spritz, and a Mimosa Cart for the table; lardente.com
Sit n Stay (Lunch Alert): Josephine in Old Town Alexandria has introduced a new weekday Lunch Special, offering a Soup & Sandwich or Soup & Salad combination for $23.50, available Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guests can choose between the restaurant’s classic Onion Soup Gratinée or Soup du Jour, paired with menu favorites like the Burger Josephine with gruyère, a Brie Grilled Cheese with apple and fig jam, Croque Madame, French Dip, or Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu. Salad options include Endive and Beets with roquefort and walnuts, Lyonnaise with lardons and poached egg, and Salade Josephine with goat cheese and sherry vinaigrette. The new special delivers polished French comfort at an approachable midday price; josephineoldtown.com
The 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; Click here for more info.
If It Walks Like A Duck: Mallard has unveiled a new seasonal menu that leans into the spirit of Southern hospitality and shared dining. Led by Chef Hamilton Johnson, the 14th Street restaurant’s refreshed offerings highlight seasonal ingredients, bold flavors, and thoughtful technique, with dishes designed to be passed around the table and enjoyed communally. The new menu continues Mallard’s focus on gathering, comfort, and Southern-inspired cooking rooted in tradition; mallarddc.com
