Washington, D.C

What I liked most about Washington DC's dining scene

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

What I liked most about Washington DC's dining scene

A stone’s throw from the White House and across the road from the Treasury Department (where pre-election economic calculations are made) is a bustling restaurant made of mahogany wood, booth seats, and the best steak you’ve ever had.

Old Ebbitt Grill is an institution. One can only imagine the agenda-altering discussions had across its white tablecloths over the decades.

Walk into its warmth on any week night and there’s a queue of suited professionals waiting for a table inside. It pays to book in advance, but if you don’t, it’s worth the wait.

Old Ebbitt does simple food, exceptionally well, with an emphasis on the highest quality produce.

Beginning with a raw bar, offering oysters from a Massachusetts marina to rivers in Maine, every morsel is tracked to its source and its flavour explained as such.

As your server may suggest, a mix from all of the above is available and what I went for. With a sour-over-sweet, lemon and honey and cocktail to top it off.

Oysters on ice at the Old Ebbitt Grill.

The list of entrees is extensive. I decided to keep it light to save room for the hearty mains, opting for a beets and burrata salad, topped with perfectly crunchy pistachio nuts.

For the main event, one cannot go past the steak frites, finished with a shallot-Dijon cream sauce. It’s apparently an entree size, but certainly enough for one on its own. With a deep red wine, this was the meal of my trip.

As Washington’s oldest saloon, its founding dates back to 1856. It’s called its current location home since 1983.

Old Ebbitt is part of the Clyde’s Restaurant Group, which took it over in the 1970s.

Its more relaxed restaurant The Hamilton is popular for its live music and sushi happy hour.

Filomena Ristorante

This underground adobe in Washington’s Georgetown suburb exudes Nonna’s charm with America’s confidence.

The diners on the table next to me put it best, saying: “I’ve never been this impressed with a restaurant before eating”.

It has a small street front for its large personality. Enter Filomena just off the main M street and walk down its steps to a dark but lively restaurant boasting laughter, chatter, and clinks of glasses by groups big and small.

The menu is embossed with the names of famous people who’ve dined here before, their favourite dishes in bold. I’m told it hasn’t been updated in 10 years – the menu wouldn’t fit in your hands if it included the latest list!

The hustle and bustle of the underground Filomena Ristorante on a week night.

Founded by JoAnna Filomena, and named after her mother Filomena, this spot serves an extensive list of pasta and saucy mains such as ossobucco and parmigiana, with non-negotiable cheesecake desserts.

The restaurant is decorated with Filomena’s original furniture, antiques, and knick-knacks, with a dining room in the kitchen designated for fame and fortune only (ask for a tour!).

Wines from all over Italy and beyond are on offer. I ordered a glass of house Cabernet, but the waiter, Tom, knew I could do better. He impressed me with a bottle of something full-bodied and Sicilian. Trust Tom.

I had the homemade burrata, slow-cooked ragu pasta and finished with a slice of chocolate caramel cheesecake. The dishes improved in that order. They were all delightful and far too generous for me to finish.

Filomena's chocolate caramel cheesecake was phenomenal. — Filomena’s chocolate caramel cheesecake was phenomenal.

Tables are tidied with a tradition. A crystal glass of liquor Sambuca or Amaretto, with three coffee beans dropped in each, representing good luck for health, wealth, and love.

And, because Nonna wouldn’t let you leave without takeaways, everyone exits with a doggie bag in hand.

Booking is essential. Filomena’s is a phenomenal vibe.

Via Sophia

If you needed another reason to believe DC does Italian as decent as New York City, this osteria underneath the Washington Post is delicious.

I happened upon this Italian restaurant by accident, and returned with the intention of a second time.

The duck ragu rigatoni (gluten-free) and crispy, buttered brussel sprouts with pine nuts and golden sultanas could be contenders to challenge New York’s Italian dining scene.

The location of this incredible osteria made me feel as though I could eavesdrop on important reporters readying for the election result.

Founding Farmers Fisher and Bakers

If you’re like me and feel like fresh food among the fried while travelling the US, this spot on the Washington Harbour in Georgetown will win your vote.

Open all day, every day, for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, this farm-to-table restaurant facing Roosevelt Island serves real food made from scratch.

The cobb salad at farmer-owned restaurant Founding Farmers Fishers and Bakers in Georgetown.

Kettle corn to calamari, cornbread and ceviche, this chain co-owned by more than 50,000 farmers traces ingredients back to their source.

Flour comes from North Dakota farmers, the meat from independently owned American farms and the cocktail spirits from a farmer-owned distillery in DC.

It was too early for me to test the latter, but I can vouch for the sustainably caught seafood and rainbow of vegetables that featured in the mixed cobb salad.

Eat good here while doing good. The business has a charity that funds sustainability efforts and supports neighbouring communities.

Drinks

Near Old Ebbitt Grill is the Willard InterContinental Hotel. Step into its fabulous and infamous hotel lobby, turn right and you’ll find yourself at the Round Robin Bar.

Dubbed the “Oval Office bar”, this iconic, circular bar has been a destination on DC’s drinking and dining scene since 1847.

Delivering classic cocktails and its signature Mint Julep, made famous here by former US Senator Henry Clay; try your luck for a seat in this typically crowded, must-see spot.

Best places to eat in Washington DC. Photo / Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

What I liked most about Washington’s hospitality:

Waiters wear suits. But diners can be as casual as they like.
Staff are typically very attentive to customers’ needs and any dietary requirements.
Tipping is typically priced into the final bill so there’s no need to guess how much is appropriate to tip after every meal.
Meals were not unreasonably large, unlike some other American states.

Checklist

WASHINGTON DC, US

GETTING THERE

Fly from Auckland to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport via Los Angeles with Delta Airlines.

DETAILS

washington.org

delta.com

Madison travelled to Washington DC with hospitality from Destination DC, Delta Airlines and dined with hospitality by Destination DC and Old Ebbitt Grill.

To start planning your Washington DC adventure visit washington.org

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Washington, D.C

Navy Yard added back to DC’s juvenile curfew zones this weekend

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Navy Yard added back to DC’s juvenile curfew zones this weekend

WASHINGTON – Navy Yard is back on the list of D.C.’s juvenile curfew zones for the weekend, a week after a large gathering of teens turned violent in a nearby park.

D.C. Police announced three curfew zones beginning Friday night: Navy Yard, Chinatown and the U Street Corridor. Under the emergency juvenile curfew law, anyone under 18 is prohibited from gathering in groups of nine or more within the designated zones from 8 to 11 p.m. through Sunday unless accompanied by an adult.

Navy Yard added back to DC’s juvenile curfew zones this weekend

Navy Yard was not included as a curfew zone last weekend, when police say roughly 200 teens gathered in the area. Videos posted to social media showed several teens assaulting another. Police, with assistance from the National Guard and Secret Service, arrested two teens. One was accused of firing a gun into the air, the other accused of trying to discard a gun in a rideshare vehicle. At least two victims were forcibly robbed.

City leaders enacted the temporary curfew law in response to a rise in teen takeovers across the District. But the measure is set to expire April 15, and Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who chairs the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, said this week there are not enough votes to extend it again.

READ MORE: DC curfew zones: 18 juveniles stopped first night

Emergency Curfew Legislation | DC Police

The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 is in effect through April 15, 2026

What does the law say?

The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 states that all persons under the age of 18 cannot remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the District of Columbia during curfew hours, unless they are involved in certain exempted activities.

The law gives the Chief of Police the authority to establish Extended Juvenile Curfew Zones and allows the Mayor of the District of Columbia to authorize an Emergency Juvenile Curfew.

What are the curfew hours?

Citywide curfew hours are 11:00 pm to 6:00 am, seven days a week.

Juvenile Curfew Zones

In Juvenile Curfew Zones, any person under the age of 18 gathering in a group of nine (9) or more youths in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the perimeter of an extended juvenile curfew zone must leave the area unless engaged in certain exempted activities. The Chief of Police will designate the curfew hours within these zones and communicate them to the public, but they will not begin before 8:00 pm or end after 6 am.

A list of declared Juvenile Curfew Zones is available in a link at the bottom of this page. That list includes zones declared in July and August 2025 under the first Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act of 2025, and in November 2025 under Mayor’s Order 2025-115.

Juvenile Curfew Zone Petition

Pursuant to the emergency law, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), business improvement district (BID), or Main Street organization may petition the Chief of Police to establish a Juvenile Curfew Zone with extended juvenile curfew hours in an area covered by, or adjacent to the area covered by, the organization.
The petition must be approved by a formal vote of the members of the ANC, or the members of the BID or Main Street board of directors.

For more information on submitting a petition, please visit this form.

Does the curfew law apply to non-District residents?

Yes. The curfew law applies to all persons under the age of 18 who are in the District of Columbia during curfew hours. This includes both District residents as well as young people who reside elsewhere.

What are the penalties for violating the law?

A parent or legal guardian of a juvenile under the age of 18 commits an offense if he or she knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, a minor to violate the curfew law. Any adult who violates the Juvenile Curfew Act is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or community service. A minor who violates curfew may be ordered to perform up to 25 hours of community service.

Persons under the age of 18 are exempt from curfew if they:

Accompany a parent or guardian
Complete an errand at the direction of a parent or guardian, without detour or stop
Ride in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel
Work or return home from a job, without detour or stop
Become involved in an emergency
Stand on a sidewalk that joins their residence or the residence of a next-door neighbor, if the neighbor did not complain to police
Attend an official school, religious, or other recreational activity sponsored by the District of Columbia, a civic organization, or other similar group that takes responsibility for the juvenile (this includes traveling to and from the activity)
Exercise their First Amendment rights protected by the US Constitution, including the free exercise of speech, religion, and right of assembly

Is a Curfew Law Constitutional?

Passed in 1995, The Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 (DC Code 2-1541 et. seq.) was set up to protect the health and safety of young people and our communities. After the law was challenged in court, MPD stopped enforcement until the court decided whether the law was constitutional. In June 1999, the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found the law to be constitutional. The District began enforcing the law again in the fall of 1999. MORE ONLINE

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Metropolitan Police Department and previous FOX 5 reporting.

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Washington, D.C

Road closures, parking restrictions for DC’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – WTOP News

Published

24 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Road closures, parking restrictions for DC’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – WTOP News

Saturday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5k will have thousands of runners rocking through D.C. But drivers will want the party to end as fast as possible.

This year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5K run will have thousands of runners rocking through D.C. on Saturday. But drivers will want the party to end as fast as possible, as the race will bring a slew of road closures and parking restrictions to the District.

The 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. and the half marathon starts at 8 a.m. The finisher concert wraps up at 1:30 p.m. The routes for both races are below:

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The following streets will be closed from 3 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Constitution Avenue from 9th Street to 15th Street NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic Saturday from 6 a.m. to noon.

Constitution Avenue from 15th Street 23rd Street NW
10th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
12th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
14th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Virginia Avenue from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street NW
1800 block of C Street NW
E Street from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
27th Street from Virginia Avenue to Whitehurst Freeway NW
I Street from 27th Street to Virginia Avenue NW
Calvert Street from 24th Street to Columbia Road NW
Adams Mill Road from 18th Street to Calvert Street NW
Columbia Road from 18th Street to 16th Street NW
Harvard Street from 16th Street to 5th Street NW
5th Street from Harvard Street to Bryant Street NW
Bryant Street from 4th Street to North Capitol Street NW
North Capitol Street from Bryant Street to K Street NW
K Street from North Capitol Street to 5th Street NW
4th Street from K Street to E Street NW
E Street from 4th Street to 6th Street NW
6th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Parking will be restricted on the following streets from noon Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Constitution Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street NW
Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 4th Street NW
6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
Madison Drive from 3rd Street to 4th Street

Parking will be restricted on the following streets from 4 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Pennsylvania Avenue from 4th Street to 7th Street NW
Constitution Avenue from 3rd Street to 6th Street NW
3rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
4th Street from Madison Drive to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Parking will be restricted on the following streets Saturday from midnight to 2 p.m.

Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 23rd Street NW
10th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
12th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
14th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Virginia Avenue from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street NW
1800 block of C Street NW
1800 block of Virginia Avenue NW
E Street from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
27th Street from Virginia Avenue to Whitehurst Freeway NW
I Street from 27th Street to Virginia Avenue NW
Calvert Street from 24th Street to Columbia Road NW
Adams Mill Road from 18th Street to Calvert Street NW
Columbia Road from 18th Street to 16th Street NW
Harvard Street from 16th Street to 5th Street NW
5th Street from Harvard Street to Bryant Street NW
Bryant Street from 4th Street to North Capitol Street NW
North Capitol Street from Bryant Street to K Street NW
K Street from North Capitol Street to 5th Street NW
4th Street from K Street to E Street NW
E Street from 4th Street to 6th Street NW
6th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

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Washington, D.C

Could DC see one last blast of winter? Polar vortex could potentially bring late March chill

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Could DC see one last blast of winter? Polar vortex could potentially bring late March chill

After chilly week, warmup ahead for DC region

It’s the last day of winter tomorrow and it sure felt like it on Wednesday, though a timely warmup is expected as we prepare to start spring! FOX 5’s Mike Thomas has the outlook for the rest of the week.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Don’t pack the winter coat away just yet. Forecasters say a potential polar vortex split could send colder air into the Washington, D.C. region before the end of March, bringing one last reminder of winter as spring begins to take hold.

What we know about the potential cold blast

Long-range forecast models suggest the polar vortex — a mass of cold air typically locked near the North Pole — could split by the end of March.

If that happens, colder air may shift into parts of the northern U.S., including the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Forecasters with FOX Weather say this setup could bring below-average temperatures to areas like Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia late in the month.

Polar Vortex (FOX Weather)

What local meteorologists are saying

While long-range models point to a possible late-month cooldown, FOX 5 DC meteorologists say a warmup is expected in the near term.

“It’s the last day of winter tomorrow and it sure felt like it on Wednesday, though a timely warmup is expected as we prepare to start spring!” FOX 5’s Mike Thomas said while outlining the forecast for the rest of the week.

That outlook underscores the uncertainty in longer-range projections, with warmer spring conditions expected before any potential shift later in the month.

What we don’t know yet

It remains uncertain exactly where the coldest air will settle.

That uncertainty will determine whether the D.C. region sees a noticeable cooldown or only a slight dip in temperatures.

How this could impact the D.C. region

The D.C. area may see a return to cooler conditions just as spring begins, though impacts could be less intense if the coldest air stays farther north.

While widespread snow is not currently expected, temperatures could still dip enough to bring a brief reminder of winter.

Polar Vortex (FOX Weather)