With its charming cobblestone streets and cozy shops, D.C. is the perfect blend of warm neighborhood feel and refined taste. We’ve put together a list of a few highly anticipated restaurants as well as neighborhood favorites to try this season. Check it out below!
Elle
Located inside the former Heller’s Bakery, a neighborhood institution, this retro cozy is the perfect breakfast spot for a crisp autumn morning! The sun-lit space works as a bakery, restaurant, and bar—serving up delightful pastries like chocolate-covered doughnuts, savory quiches, and guava pastries. Coming from Blue Duck Tavern, chef Brad Deboy is crafting up incredible dishes perfect for morning, day and night. Come here for the perfect date night and try the lovely Jasmine cocktail or sit down for dinner.
Queen’s English
Created by husband wife duo, Henji Cheung and Sarah Thompson, this lovely restaurant is serving up delicious modern Hong Kong cuisine with flavorful cocktails. Arriving with extensive experience from notable Manhattan restaurants, the owners have split jobs, with Cheung crafting Japanese dishes he learned from his mother’s kitchen and Thompson as the general manager, creating unique cocktails and globally sourcing natural wines. There’s a no reservation policy so there’s a chance visitors will need to wait for a table but trust us, it’s definitely worth the wait. Mouthwatering dishes include Bok Choy, Soy braised Enoki Mushroom, Sizzling Asparagus, and Drunken Duck Leg.
Himitsu
This beloved Petworth spot is one that you’ll definitely want to visit this season. From co owners Kevin Tien (who recently left for new restaurant Emilie’s) and Carlie Steiner, this hot restaurant is serving up delicious and complex dishes with vietnamese and southern flare. Himitsu is a Japanese-inspired restaurant that combines freshness, acidity and herbs to produce flavorful creations. The beverage menu focuses on curated cocktails with a natural feel and woman-produced wines. Menu highlights include panko fried oysters, akami, zucchini, pork chop, brussel sprouts with shaved parmesan, bouqueron-cesar, furikake crunch, and stracciatella!
Emilie’s
This highly anticipated restaurant coming from chef Kevin Tien, formerly the owner of Himitsu, is anticipated to open in late September/early October. Located in trendy Capitol Hill, Emilie’s will be five times the size of his former restaurant. Coined as “Modern American”, this spot is intended as an interactive experience with an emphasis on dining carts. However, Tien will shift away from the typical “dim sum” associated with cart service and shift toward a new weave of seasonal American options.
