Washington, D.C
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
National Guard may stay in DC through 2026
District Attorney General Brian Schwalb says National Guard troops could remain in the city well beyond initial expectations, potentially through summer 2026, during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
WASHINGTON – District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb says National Guard troops may be staying far longer than expected, possibly through the summer of 2026, when the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
FOX 5’s Maureen Umeh reports the National Guard first arrived in August after President Trump declared a crime emergency in the city.
Two months later, roughly 2,500 troops remain on duty as part of the “Safe and Beautiful” mission, working alongside local police and federal agencies.
READ MORE: National Guard deployment in DC extended to November, per Army memo
Troops may stay longer
In new court filings submitted Friday, Schwalb argues the deployment has shifted from a temporary assignment to a long-term military presence. He cites a recently released email from the Guard’s commanding general instructing troops to “winterize” and prepare for a “long-term persistent presence.”
Schwalb argues the mission violates federal law prohibiting military forces from performing domestic law enforcement. The White House disagrees, saying the president has full authority to deploy the Guard to protect federal assets and support police operations.
Public reaction mixed
Public reaction remains mixed, but many residents FOX 5 spoke with expressed concern about the extended stay in the city.
READ MORE: National Guard remains in DC following Trump’s federal takeover
The Source: Information in this article comes from District Attorney General Brian Schwalb and previous FOX 5 reporting.
24 years after his WWE debut, The Prototype is hanging up his tights.
John Cena announced that his final WWE match, a Saturday Night Main Event, will take place at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Saturday, Dec. 13.
As of now, no opponent for the 48-year-old wrestler/actor has been revealed yet. Prognosticators speculate that Gunther, whom he’s never faced before, may join him in the ring.
“Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value,” Cena shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am excited for 12/13 & look forward to seeing all of you one last time.”
If you’d like to be there for the historic showdown in the Nation’s Capital, tickets are now officially available.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats was $344 including fees on Vivid Seats.
Floor-level seats start at $1,115 including fees.
Prior to the D.C. match, The “Peacemaker” star has three other battles in the books before calling it quits.
In the event you can’t make his final fight, he’ll also headline:
Monday Night Raw
Boston’s TD Garden
Monday, Nov. 10
with Jey Uso, CM Punk, Dominik Mysterio, more
Monday Night Raw
New York City’s Madison Square Garden
Monday, Nov. 17
with Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, more
Survivor Series: WarGames
San Diego’s Petco Park
Saturday, Nov. 29
Fighters TBD
Going into his swan song, Cena is a 17-time World Champion and known for signature moves like “the attitude adjustment,” the STF and the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about Cena’s last WWE matches below.
All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation.
John Cena WWE Washington, D.C. ticket prices
We found the best prices on tickets by section at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena for Cena’s final match on Dec. 13.
Capital One Arena sections
Ticket prices
start at
400 level
$344
(including fees)
200 level
$544
(including fees)
100 level
$478
(including fees)
Suite level
$666
(including fees)
Floor level
$1,115
(including fees)
(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and, if it isn’t noted, will include additional fees at checkout.)
Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event.
Still curious about Vivid Seats? You can find an article from their team about why the company is legit here.
John Cena WWE ticket prices
A complete calendar including the remainder of Cena’s final WWE matches — outside of his D.C. farewell — are listed here:
John Cena WWE dates
Ticket prices
start at
Nov. 10 at TD Garden in Boston, MA
$129
(including fees)
Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
$236
(including fees)
Nov. 29 at PETCO Park in San Diego, CA
$223
(including fees)
John Cena upcoming film projects
As Cena winds down his time in the ring, he’s spending more time than ever on set. On top of his work in “Peacemaker,” here are all the films coming from him this year and next:
“Coyote vs. Acme” is a long-awaited hybrid of live-action and animation from Warner Bros. bringing comedy ringers like Cena, Will Forte, P.J. Byrne, Luis Guzmán and Martha Kelly together with the Looney Tunes, particularly Wile E. Coyote who sues Acme since every product he’s ever used of theirs while chasing Road Runner has failed spectacularly. Courtroom cartoons? Sign us up.
“Matchbox” stars Cena as “a former soldier who reunites with childhood friends after a successful mission, only to be kidnapped and framed,” according to The Prague Reporter. Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, Teyonah Parris and Corey Stoll round out the star-studded cast.
“Little Brother” pits Cena against anarchic comic Eric André in a story about a realtor whose orderly life is upended by his eccentric younger brother. Other big names joining the pair in the Netflix film include Michelle Monaghan, Christopher Meloni, Ego Nwodim, and Sherry Cola.
Huge 2025-26 concerts
Hoping to catch a show or three in the near future, too?
Here are just five of our favorite options you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• RUSH
• Ghost
• Nine Inch Nails
• Robert Plant
• Bring Me The Horizon
Who else is out and about? Take a look at this list of all the biggest rockers on tour in 2025-26 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Washington, D.C
Hit-and-run driver crashes into a birthday party, killing a woman and injuring 8 kids in Maryland
A hit-and-run driver slammed into an outdoor birthday party in suburban Washington, D.C., killing a woman and injuring eight kids on Saturday evening, police said.
Thirteen people were hurt in the the crash in Bladensburg, Maryland, according to statements from the city’s police department and the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department.
The children ranged in age from 1 to 17 years old, Bladensburg Police said in a statement.
Video and photos of the scene posted on social media showed a sedan inside a white tent on a lawn outside a home.
The driver, who got out of the vehicle and ran away, later turned himself into police. The 66-year-old man has been interviewed by investigators who are consulting with prosecutors about what criminal charges to file.
The woman killed was identified as Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, 31, of Washington. At least three adults and one child remained in the hospital Sunday, police said.
Police initially said nine children were injured and their ages ranged from 2 to 9 years old.
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