The Greatest Dishes Eater DC Editors Ate This Week: December 6

With Eater editors regularly eating out throughout city, we come throughout numerous standout dishes, and we don’t wish to maintain again any secrets and techniques. Welcome to Eater DC’s rotating roundup of one of the best issues we ate as of late.

Mediterranean mussels

Bethesda’s chill Mussel Bar and Grille not too long ago re-opened in a brand new glass-covered bistro area. A big number of malty Belgian beers and a few surprisingly good non-mussels meals, like a refreshing beet salad and crispy leek topped French onion soup, pairs completely with the massive forged iron skillets of mollusks. Like a personal-sized pizza, the 1.25-pound servings may very well be an entree should you’re extraordinarily dedicated, however we ordered two skillets to share amongst 4 folks (and we nonetheless struggled to eat each final mussel). The traditional white wine taste was good, however the Mediterranean model was an absolute hit at our desk. Merguez sausage, smoked tomato, and a heavy drizzle of harissa aioli lended a deep smoky taste, balanced out with enormous dollops of goat cheese. The facet of fries are a should, and courteous waiters saved bringing out infinite provides of heat crusty bread to dip within the salty broths. It was the right hearty meal for a chilly wet day. 4903 Cordell Avenue Bethesda, Maryland — Emily Venezky

Snapper chicharrón

The blissful hour and folks watching at El Presidente was an especially enjoyable pick-me-up on an particularly busy weekday, with robust drinks and joking bartenders. After an order of aguachile and tostadas, this crispy fish dish was an ideal break up entree. Ordering it with tortillas and sides of rice and beans is the transfer, so you possibly can construct scrumptious fried fish tacos filled with punchy pickled crimson onion, salsa verde, and Fresno chiles. It looks like most individuals simply eat the massive fried bites of snapper (as wait employees saved asking if they might clear our plate), however my pal and I took full benefit of the entire fried fish, digging into the little bits of tender meat across the bones and head. Sharing bites of fish cheeks makes this a dish you possibly can bond over. 1255 Union Road NE — E.V.

Labneh

The Wharf’s glass-enclosed Lebanese scorching spot Ilili is persistently one of many busiest eating places on the Wharf. Its marbled bar up entrance was the place to be on a latest weeknight, the place you get the identical full-service expertise because the eating room. We opted for starters solely, which included Ilili’s luxuriously silky labneh. The sizable whip of strained yogurt, with a touch of recent and a pleasant kick from za’atar, was probably the greatest variations I’ve had in latest reminiscence. Vessels of fabulously fluffy pita bread stayed heat inside a wood field, and the server gladly introduced us extra upon request. I really like stuffed grape leaves, however some locations do them higher than others. Ilili’s model delivers, introduced in a neat row with a not-too-slippery end of tomato and parsley oils. Falafel right here is nice for sharing: the chickpea fava beans come inside cute fried croquettes. 100 District Sq. SW — Tierney Plumb

Soup and sandwich

It’s already been well-established (properly, by yours actually, anyway) that Parkway Deli has one of the best matzo ball soup within the D.C. space. On a latest go to, I naturally slurped down a giant bowl (and picked up a quart to go). I believe this was my first time ordering their membership sandwich, and I’m happy to report the Silver Spring deli additionally makes probably the most satisfying golf equipment within the space. Out there in two choices (turkey bacon or turkey/ham – I break up the distinction and added bacon to the latter), the membership has simply the appropriate ratios of filling and is especially satisfying on their glorious, caraway-tastic rye bread. 8317 Grubb Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland — Missy Frederick

Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Burger

Positioned within the depths of Foggy Backside’s AKA Resort, Philly’s new James Beard Award-winning import a.kitchen+bar was a pleasant reprieve from the chilly on a weekday night time. We began off the smooth black bar, which seems out at a hidden patio outfitted with fireplace pits. Our gregarious bartender ready me a superb (and potent) “Punch Checklist” cocktail — a fancy combo of tequila, pear brandy, aquavit, sage, lime, and suze. Its burger ranks as one in every of Philly’s finest, and the D.C. model lived as much as expectations. The shock standout of the bar-only order was really its selfmade sesame bun. Scallop crudo was elegantly introduced inside its shell with preserved lemon and sunflower gremolata. And a beneficiant plate of crispy mushroom oysters dressed with sunchoke miso aioli held up properly as leftovers following a fast journey by way of the oven. 1010 New Hampshire Avenue NW — T.P.