I do know, I do know. You possibly can’t launch a 2024 recap in February. It’s method too late. February is a time for anticipating the primary tendrils of spring — Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow, pitchers and catchers reporting — not for wanting again. So I want a favor. Faux it’s nonetheless January. Faux Phil remains to be fortunately hibernating undisturbed by the annoying top-hatted man. Faux my decision to buckle down and begin exercising in February remains to be viable. Nice, thanks a lot. Now on to my greatest bites from 2024 (and let me be the primary to want you a really pleased New 12 months!)
Finest 2024 Starters
Porcini Mushroom Salad at Bar del Monte, Washington DC (Mt Nice)
Even in-season, recent porcini are exhausting to seek out. I knew Bar del Monte wouldn’t let me down, each in meticulous sourcing the mushrooms and by letting them shine on this easy salad with a stunning lemon French dressing.
French Onion Soup, Minetta Tavern, Washington DC (Union Market)
It’s exhausting to make a foul French Onion Soup however that additionally means it’s not simple to make one that basically stands out. The true differentiator is the broth. Minetta Tavern’s deep, savory broth stays the star even competing in opposition to fan favorites like caramelized onions, melted gruyere and toasted bread.
Pozole Rojo, Amparo Fondita, Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
I nearly at all times order pozole after I see it on a menu. I like the comforting warmth of the broth, the heartiness of the pork and the hominy, and the power to make use of toppings to personalize the expertise like a visit to Cava.
Pozole Rojo, Cielo Rojo, Takoma Park, MD
My different favourite pozole on the town, plus it comes with the welcoming hospitality of householders Carolina McCandless and David Perez.
Scorching & Bitter Soup, Din Tai Fung, NY, NY
Taiwan-based Din Tai Fung opened their first east coast location in midtown Manhattan this 12 months (51st and Broadway). The chain is rightly identified for his or her soup dumplings, however this sizzling & bitter soup actually caught with me and bought me pondering that different eating places ought to observe their lead. Folks love sizzling & bitter soup however too many Chinese language eating places deal with it like an afterthought. It’s not only a throw-in for lunch specials or a time-killer earlier than the cooked-to-order dishes present up. sizzling & bitter soup will drive site visitors.
Eggplant and Zucchini Chips, Balos Estiatorio, Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
Glorious frying and a gradual Jenga participant within the kitchen make for a memorable starter at this newish Greek spot simply off Dupont Circle. I went for brunch however I’ve seen movies of the nighttime scene and, should you’re within the temper, it’s what the youngsters would name a complete vibe.
Meatballs, Rao’s, Miami Seaside FL
The unique Rao’s in NYC stays nearly unimaginable to get into, so I did the subsequent neatest thing and went to the Rao’s outpost in Miami Seaside. These loosely-packed, beefy meatballs got here swimming in a vivid tomato sauce that was so good they need to bottle it.
Shrimp Molly, Spano’s, Level Nice Seaside, NJ
An important Italian-American spot on the Jersey shore serving up extra nice pink sauce, on this starter draped over fried shrimp. I can’t recall if we truly ordered this or not. I used to be fortunate sufficient to go together with some long-time regulars and as we have been getting settled proprietor Joe Spano came visiting to say howdy and tell us he already “had some issues popping out.” I by no means believed in love at first sight till that second.
Shrimp Thermidor with shellfish sabayon, Moon Rabbit, Washington DC (Penn Quarter)
The grilled shrimp are nice nevertheless it’s the shellfish sabayon that makes this dish actually swoon-worthy. You’ll want to get a number of the annatto bread (or regardless of the present providing is) to sop up any remaining sauce. Not solely is it extra environment friendly than swabbing your finger across the plate however your partner can be much less more likely to ask rhetorical questions like whether or not you have been raised in a barn.
Sesame-Crusted Feta Saganaki, Namak, Washington DC (Adams Morgan)
These fried sesame-feta nuggets is perhaps the proper appetizer: tangy, nutty, crispy, creamy, and different adjectives ending in y if I might consider them.
Crab Custard with tomago tofu, black walnut, and caviar, Reverie, Washington DC (Georgetown)
Good to have Reverie again after a 2022 fireplace stored it shuttered for nearly two years. This crab custard with caviar was a spotlight of a tasting menu that by no means sacrifices deliciousness for cleverness or gimmick plating.
Firecracker Wings, Mecha Noodle Bar, Washington DC (Union Market)
Mecha Noodle Bar focuses on pho and ramen however these firecracker wings have been wonderful, with tamarind and natural notes taking part in off in opposition to the warmth sichuan peppercorn and togarashi.
Verde Salad with Prawns, L’Ardente, Washington DC (Capitol Crossing)
Don’t sleep on salads at this self-styled “glam” Italian spot close to Union Station (don’t be turned off by the cringy “glam” schtick that comes off very How do you do, fellow youngsters?; the meals is significantly better than the advertising and marketing). The salads specifically are stunning, rigorously constructed, and at all times recent. Add a protein like prawns or salmon for a healthful most important course and really feel good ordering that desk pizza.
Finest 2024 Primary Programs
Smoked Duck with wedge fries and duckfat bearnaise, a.kitchen+bar, Washington DC (West Finish)
a.kitchen+bar could also be an outpost of the Philadelphia unique, however they’ve completed it the suitable method, hiring skilled DC staffers and completely transferring prime Philly expertise to DC. For those who go, don’t miss the duck, calmly smoked in a method that doesn’t intrude with the rosy medium-rare cook dinner. The wedge fries are crisp and fluffy sufficient to make me rethink my blanket rejection of the whole class.
Lamb Neck Barbacoa, Pascual’s, Washington Dc (Capitol Hill)
Pascual’s has been open nearly precisely a 12 months and remains to be one of many hardest tickets on the town. This succulent lamb-neck barbacoa is a superb share for memorable make-your-own tacos.
Gang Hung Lay (5-hour pork curry), Elephant Jumps (Falls Church/Merrifield VA)
Talking of succulent, this 5-hour pork curry at Elephant Jumps is a luscious mixture of Thai-street-food-meets-American-BBQ.
Mole Poblano, Taqueria el Mexicano, Adelphi MD
This rooster mole has proven up on my previous best-of lists, however this dish brings it 12 months after 12 months. The storefront couldn’t be extra unassuming however the mole is first-class, with a stunning sheen and steadiness that avoids the heaviness or stodginess of lesser moles.
Stone Crabs, Joe’s Stone Crabs, Miami Seaside FL
Sure, Joe’s is a vacationer entice and the stone crab is expensive. I used to be absolutely ready to hate it till the crab claws confirmed up. Scrumptious.
Crab Muffins, Shilling Canning Firm, Washington DC (Navy Yard)
The top chef at minibar joined Shilling Canning Firm final summer time to sling fried rooster and different American consolation meals. That’s the way you get crab truffles as well-conceived and well-executed as these. And whereas these wedge fries, like those at a.kitchen+bar, are wonderful, I hope we’re not on the cusp of a potato wedge infestation as a result of 99% of them are horrible and simply waste plate house.
Crab Cake with miso, roasted corn, in dashi broth, Perry’s, Washington DC (Adams Morgan)
For those who haven’t been to Perry’s for some time, it’s time for a return go to to strive James Beard Rising Chef Winner Masako Morishita’s cooking. This crab cake in dashi broth was a take I’d by no means seen earlier than and labored superbly.
Bar Steak-Frites, Pastis, Washington DC (Union Market)
One other NYC stalwart opening in DC, Pastis is Stephen Starr’s transportive Parisian bistro that’s a bookend to his transportive Parisian brasserie, Le Diplomate. This bar steak is the most affordable steak-frites on the menu however precisely proper for this objective.
Wagyu Beef wrapped in perilla leaves, Moon Rabbit, Washington DC (Penn Quarter)
Kevin Tien has a Jedi-like means to riff on cuisines and elements and give you one thing completely sudden and scrumptious. Take this Vietnamese-Greek mash-up of wagyu beef wrapped and grilled in perilla leaves (like giant shiso leaves) and plated with labneh, fermented honey, and pickled shallots. Positive, it is smart when you acknowledge that each cultures prize stuffed leaves — though dolmades is at all times the very last thing I’ll eat on a Greek platter — however Obi-Wan Tien is the one who considered it.
Pastrami, 2-Fifty BBQ, Washington DC (Mt Vernon Sq.) and Riverdale MD
We could not have an ideal Jewish deli in DC however we do have nice pastrami. Each Thursday, 2Fifty BBQ makes pastrami that may maintain its personal with any pastrami within the nation (okay, possibly not Katz’s, however you get the purpose). Get it plain or in a sandwich made with wonderful rye bread from Manifest Bakery.
Roasted Cod with savoy cabbage, lobster, saffron, Lutece, Washington DC (Georgetown)
A beautiful dish that marries top-flight French method — I can’t think about all of the steps concerned — with irresistible flavors like saffron, lobster, and charred cabbage. It nonetheless could also be on the Lutece menu should you go quickly.
Banh Xeo (scorching rice crepe), Muoi Tieu, Takoma Park MD
It might appear like an omelette however there are not any eggs on this Vietnamese staple, only a turmeric-tinged rice batter made with coconut milk. Lower a bit of the crepe, wrap it in a lettuce leaf with some herbs, dip it into the nuoc cham, and, should you’re like me, end up being pulled between the enjoyment of the meals and the cosmic unfairness that tiny Takoma Park has so many extra good eating places than Bethesda.
Pepperoni/Sausage Tomato Pie, Alfreda, Washington DC (Dupont Circle)
Glorious new pizza simply off Dupont Circle — skinny, crisp sourdough crust with no flop. Get the tomato pie with only a mild sprinkling of cheese and really feel semi-virtuous even after a whole pie.
Finest 2024 Sandwiches/Sides
Felafel, Yellow, Washington DC (Georgetown and Union Market)
Michael Rafidi is an area treasure. Albi and the 2 areas of the extra informal Yellow are at all times packed (Rafidi’s latest, La’Shukran, is so packed I nonetheless haven’t been in a position to get in). So it’s no shock that Rafidi seems the perfect felafel on the town (RIP Max’s Deli in Wheaton).
Batata with shawarma spice, Washington DC (Georgetown and Union Market)
I used to be first launched to Rafidi’s batata (multi-layered potato blocks) when he cooked at Arroz within the Marriott Marquis. I nonetheless haven’t found out how he makes them nevertheless it doesn’t actually matter since that is the type of meticulous cooking I’d by no means do at dwelling.
French Fries, Ruse, St Michael’s MD
I would in the future educate faculty philosophy, simply so I can clarify a Platonic splendid to my college students by displaying them this image of the french fries at Ruse in St. Michael’s.
Baguette with ham, gruyere, butter, and dijon, Bread Furst, Washington DC (Tenley)
Proof that easy, high-quality elements don’t want loads of bells and whistles. Begin with a superb Bread Furst baguette and add simply sufficient French ham, good butter, and dab of mustard to make a sandwich. Professional-tip: whereas I don’t advocate consuming whereas driving, if you end up schlepping up or down Connecticut Avenue round lunchtime, it is a nice automobile sandwich which you can eat one-handed and received’t drip in your shirt.
Cheesesteak, Soko Butcher, Takoma Park MD
Soko Butcher shouldn’t be solely among the finest butcher outlets within the space, it’s additionally among the finest sandwich outlets. The cheesesteak is large, messy, and genuine (I could get my foodie card revoked for this, however I truly choose a cheesesteak “hoagie” with lettuce, tomato and mayo, and I’d substitute provolone for the Cheez Whiz).
Sfincione (Tomato Focaccia) with Stracciatella, Cucina Morini, Washington DC (Mt Vernon Sq.)
One other easy dish that reveals the deliciousness that may be coaxed from easy elements dealt with with care. This bread shall be successful with no matter else you order at Matt Adler’s ode to Italy’s coastal delicacies — and at $11 received’t break the financial institution.
Taco al Pastor, Chicatana, Washington DC (Columbia Heights)
I haven’t discovered loads of real-deal al pastor within the DC space — drop them within the feedback when you’ve got — however Chicatana stacks a powerful spit that delivers the products.
Corn Canine, Minnesota State Truthful, St Paul MN
Simply pencil this one in yearly.
Finest 2024 Desserts
I don’t usually order desserts lately, however after I do, I are likely to observe sure patterns. See should you can discern them beneath.
Creme Caramel, Pastis, Washington DC (Union Market)
Creme Caramel is having a second and I’m right here for it. Pastis makes this textbook model, with a superbly creamy consistency, good hit of vanilla, and loads of caramel sauce to have with every spoonful.
Creme Caramel, Bar del Monte, Washington DC (Mt Nice)
One other wonderful model. Not loads of sauce, nevertheless it’s so darkish and concentrated that somewhat goes a great distance.
Creme Caramel, La Bonne Vache, Washington DC (Georgetown)
La Bonne Vache is thought for his or her burgers however I most well-liked the non-burger dishes, together with this stable creme c.
Butterscotch Budino, Osteria Mozza, Washington DC (Georgetown)
Nancy Silverton’s well-known butterscotch budino is likely one of the nice desserts of the previous 20 years. The separate components are excellent on their very own, however if you plunge your spoon down and get a style of every little thing, it’s like Silverton channeled Julie Andrews and remodeled the gangly Jello butterscotch pudding of my youth into the gorgeous butterscotch budino of Genovia.
Creme Brûlée, La Piquette, Washington DC (Glover Park)
I don’t solely eat creamy caramel desserts. I additionally eat desserts with crispy caramel tops. This creme brûlée at La Piquette comes superbly torched — deeply-browned, simply in need of burnt. Plus the big floor space retains the shell-to-custard ratio roughly on the splendid 1:1.5. Ramekins are superb for chocolate mousse however not for creme brûlée.
So there you have got it. My greatest bites of 2024. Now you can go away January and return to February. (However earlier than you go, take the Eagles and the factors.)
