Incredible Edibles: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Weekly Roundup of Good Food
May is in full swing—and the DMV is blooming with flavor. Spring produce is showing off, and local chefs are leaning in with bright, seasonal dishes that feel just right. At TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’re spotlighting the bites that celebrate this sweet spot of the season. Ready to taste what May’s made of?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
LambJam: Get ready to jam out with your lamb out, because the 2025 Lamb Jam Happy Hour Tour is making its D.C. stop on Tuesday, May 21st at Autoshop in Union Market, and you don’t want to miss a bite. Presented by the American Lamb Board, Lamb Jam is a coast-to-coast celebration of the bold flavor and versatility of American lamb, spotlighting the chefs who know how to cook it best. After months of showcasing creative lamb bites at top restaurants, the Lamb Jam Happy Hour Tour brings all the heat (and the meat) together for one flavorful night. americanlamb.com
Saint Owen’s Feast: Saint Owen’s Feast is an all-day, family-friendly Italian-style street fair to officially relaunch the Owen’s Tavern & Garden patio. On Saturday, May 24th, they're throwing an epic outdoor party in collaboration with Caruso’s Grocery. Expect a feast of Italian-inspired street food like Sausage & Peppers, housemade Zeppole, Half Smokes, Tuscan Fries, and Cacio e Pepe Popcorn — plus fresh burgers, truffle fries, and chicken fingers for the kids. More info here.
Two Years to Celebrate: This May, Motorkat is proud to celebrate two years of serving the community in Takoma Park.
To mark the occasion, the restaurant will host a full week of festivities from Tuesday, May 20 to Sunday, May 25.
You are invited to enjoy half-priced local oysters and happy hour drink specials throughout the
entire restaurant from open to close all week long. 6939 Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park, MD; .motorkat.com
Taste the Terroir: Ovoka Wagyu and Barrel Oak Wines have collaborated for an event. Begin with an intimate cellar tour and exclusive barrel tasting led by Barrel Oak Winery’s winemaker, followed by a four-course dinner crafted by Ovoka Farm’s Resident Chef, Ellie McMillan. Featuring premium Ovoka F1 Wagyu beef and perfectly paired estate wines, this experience celebrates terroir, craftsmanship, and the rich flavors of Virginia. 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144; barreloak.com
Global Bites Fest: Join Global Bites, Rockville’s city-wide celebration of food, culture, and community from June 1-14, 2025. Dine at any of the Rockville restaurants (must be in city limits; excludes national chains) listed below and after indulging, upload an image of your receipt to the Global Bites submission form to be entered for a chance to win one of three VISA gift cards ($50, $100, $200) to fund your next restaurant outing. Get tickets here.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Brunch on the Roof (Brunch Alert): SYN Rooftop Bar & Lounge has a new brunch menu. The menu offers you savory and sweet selections to enjoy on the rooftop. Menu items include brunch classics with a twist like cornflake-crusted French Toast, topped with coffee butter and fresh berries, Huevos Rancheros, with refrito beans, avocado, and sunny side eggs in tomato sauce, topped with cotija cheese, Carmelized Onion & Spinach Quiche, served with a frisée salad and the Fried Burrata, served with a tomato basil compote, prosciutto, aged balsamic and walnut raisin bread. Syn.com
Desk Meals No More (Lunch Alert): Corso Italian has a new lunch hour. Designed for speed and satisfaction, the new lunch menu features a variety of fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches starting at $16, and a selection of handmade pastas and other Corso favorites like focaccia with whipped ricotta, seared tuna crudo, and oxtail ravioli. The restaurant pledges to have diners seated, served, and on their way in under an hour. 4024 Campbell Avenue; corsoitalian.com
Three Concepts, One Roof: Michelin-starred chef Elias Taddesse brings two of his most celebrated culinary ventures under one roof with the debut of Mélange Foods, Inc. This multi-concept space marks the return of Mélange and Doro Soul Food, with a third concept—Moya, a blend of Ethiopian and Mexican cuisines—set to open later this spring. More than a restaurant, Mélange Foods, Inc. is an incubator for cultural expression through food that reflects Taddesse’s French culinary training, East African heritage, and vision to create a hub where bold flavors, personal storytelling, and community converge. Highlights from Mélange include the classic burger with American cheese, pickled red onions, and brown butter aioli; the Italian, with smoked mozzarella, tomato confit, arugula, and spicy basil aioli; and the new Frenchie–a play on French onion soup layered with caramelized onions, gruyère, and dijonnaise. 2108 8th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001; .melangefoods.com
New in National Landing: Bar Chinois is opening a new location in National Landing. The second Bar Chinois location will continue its happy hour offerings, with dollar dumplings and half-priced cocktails from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting next month. 244 19th Ct S #105, Arlington, VA 22202; barchinoisnl.com
Comida Corrida (Lunch Alert): Amparo Fondita in Dupont Circle has opened for lunch, offering a new $26 Comida Corrida ("lunch on the run") and expanded a la carte options. The $26 Comida Corrida includes three courses: start with a soup or salad, move on to tacos or an itacate bowl, and finish with dessert or a refreshing agua fresca or soda. 2002 P St. NW, Washington, DC; AmparoFundita.com
Check Out Xiquet: El Taller del Xiquet has introduced a series of new spring dishes. One of the standout additions to the starters is Fonoll, a beautifully balanced dish featuring grilled fennel, fennel pollen and romesco. Another being Vera, a vibrant combination of pan-seared Maine scallop, sepia, coconut milk and sherry-cured salmon roe. Lastly, the Crú is a must-try featuring delicate hamachi crudo, vibrant citrus segments and a silky yellow pepper sauce. eltallerdelxiquet.com
Partners in Carbs: A new “carb bar” has opened up inside Buffalo & Bergen. This is a dream come true for Neil Dundee. Try dishes like the Lucifer $20 (Red Sauce, Onion, Salami, Pecorino, Parmesan, Hot Honey, and Chili Flakes) along with many other carb-related creations. 3501 Connecticut Ave NW; buffalobergendc.com
Chefs on a Roll: Beresovsky’s Deli x a.kitchen+bar: Beresovksy’s Deli has launched their latest Chefs…On a Roll sandwich featuring Chef Eli Collins of a.kitchen + bar! Chef Eli Collins is the Executive Chef of a.kitchen+bar at Hotel AKA in Washington, D.C. (the newest location of the acclaimed Philadelphia restaurant), where his seasonal, French-inspired cuisine has earned him accolades such as Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Chef of 2022 and a “Three Bells” review from The Philadelphia Inquirer. A Scranton native, Collins honed his craft under Chef Daniel Boulud in New York before returning to Philadelphia to lead some of the city’s most acclaimed kitchens. His special Philly Roast Pork Banh Mi, made with Taylor’s Ham, Pork Shoulder Confit, Broccoli Rabe Slaw, Long Hot Pepper Mayo, Cilantro, and Fish Sauce Vinaigrette, will be available for the entire month of May. beresovskys.com
Nepalese in DC: Himalayan Wild Yak has opened a second location in Norther Virginia. Named for the bovine indigenous to the Himalayan mountains of Tibet, Mongolia and Nepal, the wild yak is a healthy, lean alternative to beef. Chef Keshar Jarga explains that Nepal is a landlocked country between India and China, so its cuisine has influences from both of those cultures. 1010 N Glebe rd; Himalayanwildyak.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Supping at the Supper Club: Inspired by iconic dining and nightlife experiences in Mykonos, Dubai, and Saint-Tropez, Gaia Supperclub reimagines the supper club for a D.C. audience with world-class culinary offerings, live entertainment, and a transportive atmosphere that blurs the line between dinner and nightlife. The menu boasts dishes like Deep Fried Hummus, a Latin twist on refried beans with an airy mousse-like texture; Chicken Nuggets topped crème fraiche, caviar; and flakes of 24 karat edible gold; and a 1 ½ pound Tomahawk Ribeye served with truffle butter, chimichurri, and tiger sauce. 1025 Vermont Avenue NW; Gaia.com
West African Suya Sundays: All Set Restaurant & Bar has recently launched a Suya Sundays pop-up series in collaboration with Suya Factory, a DMV-based street food concept lead by Samuel “DJ Chick” Mobit. From 4pm through 9pm each Sunday, Executive Chef Ed Reavis (All Set, Money Muscle BBQ, and Fryer’s Roadside) and DJ Chick will serve suya, a West African dish of marinated skewered meats cooked on a grill, alongside a variety of sides for takeout, delivery, and dine-in service. You will be able to enjoy Afrobeats from local DJ Etn as well as All Set’s full food and beverage menus during the pop-up. The current Suya Sundays menu offers a choice of three proteins, accompanied with sides of Pickled Onion, Red Pepper Sauce, and Plantains. 8630 Fenton Street, Plaza 5; allsetrestaurant.com
Fabulous Flavors: In celebration of spring, Pitango Gelato will offer new and returning seasonal flavors at each of its seven locations. While supplies last, the gelateria will offer its new Chocolate Mint Chip, made with peppermint infused dark chocolate chips and milk chocolate gelato. On May 9th and in recognition of National Strawberry Month, guests can enjoy Strawberries and Cream gelato made with gently roasted fresh strawberries swirled with Fior di Latte gelato. Fior di Latte, which means “flower of milk” in Italian, is made with organic milk and cream provided by Pitango’s cows in Glen Arm, Maryland. pitangogelato
Start ‘Em Young: The 2025 Sur La Table Kids & Teens Summer Series is now open for registration! This year, the series will run for 14 weeks, from May 27-August 29, perfect for those summer months where kids (and parents) are trying to fill their days with something fun and educational. The Sur La Table summer cooking series is designed to send kids and teens on a culinary adventure. Whether your child is well-versed in kitchen techniques already or they’re completely new to cooking and baking, they’ll love this immersive experience filled with delicious foods and hands-on tasks. The 2025 series will focus on two main themes: baking and global cooking. Apply here.
Caffè del Parco, an Italian Pop Up: Caffè del Parco, a seasonal Italian pop-up, is now open Fridays through Sundays from noon to 8:00 p.m., tucked just off the Willard InterContinental’s grand lobby in the elegant Lincoln Library. The pop-up’s name hints at its Italian roots—bringing la dolce vita to the heart of D.C. for a limited time only. They’ve crafted a multi-course menu featuring the soup of the day, risotto, handmade pappardelle, and a decadent dessert paired with thoughtfully selected Italian wines. 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004, USA; washington.intercontinental.com
Marcus Is In the House: Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson makes his debut in the nation’s capital with the opening of Sly, an elevated rooftop bar at The Morrow Hotel. Helmed by Executive Chef Anthony Jones, The menu, crafted by Samuelsson and Jones, will showcase local seafood, seasonal produce, and globally inspired flavors. The culinary experience highlights raw bites, shareable snacks, entrées, and treats. 222 M Street; marcusdc.com
The Wharf’s La Vie Reopens: La Vie at The Wharf has reopened with a renewed Mediterranean spirit, the addition of exciting culinary talent, and a fresh experiential approach that blends vibrant cuisine with celebration and culture. It features an immersive dining experience with live entertainment, and dishes crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Delgado alongside new Chef de Cuisine Aseem Charan. lavie-dc.com.
Bar Angie = Bistro Vibes: The team behind Dupont’s Balos, brings Bar Angie, a new day-to-night bistro now open in the West End. Inspired by classic New York neighborhood spots and infused with European charm, Bar Angie serves crave-worthy fare—think a luxe Wagyu French Dip, Fried Cream Cheese Caesar, and the over-the-top “Angie Chop Martini,” a crispy pork chop topped with peppers and Parm. At its heart, Bar Angie is a martini bar, featuring an extensive cocktail list and a curated lineup of espresso martinis in partnership with NYC’s For Five Coffee Roasters. Designed with moody lighting, and a Parisian-style zinc bar, Bar Angie offers indoor and outdoor patio seating. Adding to the ambiance: live jazz several nights a week. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch on weekends. Located at 2300 N Street NW, for more information visit, theangierestaurants.com
Albi 2.0: Chef Michael Rafidi’s Michelin-starred Albi is back, did you know it was gone? After a two-week refresh, the Navy Yard restaurant reopens with a reimagined space and an evolved menu that dives even deeper into Rafidi’s Palestinian-American roots. The highlight? A completely spontaneous five-course Sofra experience ($165) that’s created in real time through guest-kitchen dialogue—no set menu, just seasonal creativity and hospitality. The à la carte menu also gets a seasonal refresh, with standout dishes like smoked duck mujadarra, rabbit shish barak, and a crab-studded maqluba. Behind the bar, expect Levantine-inspired cocktails and an irreverent wine list spotlighting bold producers from the Middle East and Mediterranean. The interiors, redesigned in collaboration with The Klein Agency, now feature a cocktail lounge, expanded bar, and an immersive open kitchen—all anchored by powerful Palestinian artistry from Jordan Nassar. Dinner service runs Tuesday–Sunday. Reservations via Resy. More at www.albidc.com and @albiwashdc.
