Happy New Year, All! This year we rang in the new year doing two of our favorite things: traveling and eating. We traveled across the pond to Scotland where we were swept away by Edinburgh’s medieval old town characterized by its historic buildings, imposing castle, labyrinthine alleys, and convivial pubs. We fell in love with the country’s rich heritage, unparalleled charm, and of course, wide-sweeping whisky scene. And in true Hill fashion, we topped it off with an extravagant Michelin-starred evening accentuated by a steady flow of exquisite wine pairings.
While we’ve given our stomachs and livers a bit of a reprieve since returning home, good food is never far from my mind. And how can it be when my new book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC, is now available for pre-order? And yes, you can expect lots of shameless plugs over the next several (read: many) months.
Last month I I kicked off the first of a multi-part blog series where I highlighted some of my most recent favorite food and drink haunts that sadly didn’t make it into the book. Below is the second batch of 5 swoon-worthy spots guaranteed to satisfy your latest craving, nourish your belly, and quench your thirst in style around our capital city.
BRYANT STREET MARKET FOOD HALL
If you know me, then you know how much I adore a good food market. One collective space for people to gather and indulge in delectable — and often adventurous — culinary treats? Yes, a million times over. Any chance I get.
So, the fact that the new-ish Bryant Street Market is next door to my favorite movie theater in the District (I’m weirdly obsessed with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema) AND Kraken Kourts and Skates is a nothing short of a dream come true.
The food hall is just one of the latest additions to the growing Edgewood neighborhood. The culinary hub boasts a variety of vendors and delectables including tacos, grilled meats, dumplings, and bubble tea. My friend Jen enjoyed a medley of tacos from Taqueria Habanero and I feasted on a kaleidoscope of colors and goodness while devouring a poke bowl from Blowfish Poke.
If you haven’t made your way to Bryant Street, now’s the time to go!
Location: 680 Rhode Island Ave. NE
ILILI
This stunner of a restaurant shines brightly at the Wharf. The expansive space is breathtaking, brimming with towering citrus trees, suspended bird cages, striking blue and white tiles, and a show-stopping limestone fountain. It’s hard not to be completely entranced by the pure beauty of this elaborate establishment. And let’s not forget about its stellar location situated along the Southwest Waterfront. In short, this place is an absolute knockout.
But wait, there’s more! The food is outstanding, too! The Lebanese menu is chock-full of cold and hot meze, inventive cocktails, and mouthwatering entrees. Food here is meant to be shared, so don’t be shy when it comes to ordering. Luscious spreads like hummus and labne along with crispy falafel and charred octopus make for excellent opening acts. For the main event, try Samkeh harra, a seared striped bass accompanied by confit tomato, tahini, and marconas.
Added bonus if you can dine here with good friends. Guaranteed to be a winning recipe for a special night out.
Location: 100 District Sq. SW
LITTLE BLACKBIRD
Oh, Little Blackbird, you had me at the Cheetos and Sauvignon Blanc pairing.
If this charming neighborhood gem was in our hood, we’d be here every week. We LOVED this sparkling jewel of a wine bar. The moment we stepped into Little Blackbird’s cozy nook, we were greeted with glasses of Prosecco as we waited for our table. Mind you, we arrived early, so it’s not like the restaurant was making up for a delayed seating. We thought we were special for a minute, but then realized that EVERYONE had glasses of Prosecco. I mean, has heaven on Earth arrived in DC? And in Cleveland Park no less?!
Little Blackbird focuses on the relationship between wine and food. Their modern approach to centuries-old techniques of food and wine pairings promises that no two nights will ever be the same. Blackbird’s extensive wine program highlights international and eclectic varietals where enthusiasts can choose from bottles, glasses, and even half-glasses. Food standouts among our group included the hearth roasted haloumi, house-made sausage of the day, hearth roasted branzino, and the lamb loin.
But my favorite thing about Little Blackbird is its approach to playfulness and challenging the status quo when it comes to pairings. Little Blackbird proves that Champagne tastes even more sublime when matched with Sweet Tarts and those Little Debbie Cakes that you loved as a kid? They just so happen to go hand-in-hand with a glass of dessert wine. Who knew?! Little Blackbird, that’s who.
Location: 3309 Connecticut Ave. NW
RUTA
Ruta was SO CLOSE to being featured in my book. In fact, it wasn’t until I heard that Chef Dima Martseniuk, the initial heart and soul of the restaurant, was leaving that I (reluctantly) made the call to remove it.
I spoke with Chef Dima Martseniuk at length and was immediately struck by his unwavering love for his country and its food. After all, he’s been dubbed as the “Ambassador of Borscht” largely in part due to his tireless work to have the signature soup recognized as Ukraine’ national dish. In 2022, Martseniuk helped in adding the specialty beet soup to the UNESCO’s cultural heritage list as an endangered cultural tradition in need of safeguarding. The marquee soup, which takes over two hours to cook, is just one of many dishes that have helped make Washington’s first Ukrainian restaurant a burgeoning success.
Chef Martseniuk began experimenting with cooking during his university years, cooking borscht for his roommates and fellow students. After graduating, he moved to Upstate New York where he cooked at a Jewish summer camp before eventually making his way to Manhattan where he landed a job at New York’s premiere Ukrainian restaurant, Veselka. As time went on, he began covering for cooks when they went on vacation, learning the menu as well as the ropes of working in a professional kitchen. Shortly after graduating from culinary school, Veselka’s head chef left, opening the path that would launch Martseniuk’s culinary career as their executive chef for the next twelve years.
Throughout his culinary career, Martseniuk had cooked for a multitude of UN ambassadors and prestigious government officials during trips to Washington. Noticing a vacancy of Ukrainian restaurants in our capital city, he decided to move to DC and open his own restaurant. The road to opening Ruta was long, but in May 2023, Martseniuk finally opened its doors in the heart of Capitol Hill.
Diners can expect to feast on traditional Ukrainian dishes with a slight American spin. In addition to Ruta’s famous borscht (choose from beef or vegetarian), sample an assortment of varenyky (pierogi) stuffed with fillings like potato, sauerkraut, or short ribs. Other menu highlights include meat holubtsi (meat stuffed with cabbage), chicken Kyiv, deruny (potato pancakes), and banosh (Ukrainian polenta). Whatever you do, make sure to save room for the honey cake, an adaptation of Martseniuk’s mother’s recipe that had been passed down by his grandmother. The dreamy dessert consists of thin layers of light fluffy cake coated with an irresistibly airy frosting. Perfection on a plate.
Location: 327 Seventh St. SE
SILVER LYAN
I was fortunate to attend a special migration-themed cocktail event at Silver Lyan, the award winning cocktail bar burrowed in the lower level of the Riggs Hotel. Silver Lyan’s team found inspiration from nomadic flamingos, a deep-space probe, and the superior hygienic proclivities of Vikings to create eleven innovative cocktails. The stories behind each cocktail, ranging from the pollination of California’s almond harvest, a nature-assisting “salmon cannon,” and touring musicians of Greek antiquity, illuminate the ways in which cultural exchange influences our world.
Superman 2 is a snazzy and aromatic blend of Hendrick’s gin, oak wine, oolong, flinted strawberry, green pea) while King Pausa is more of a savory amalgamation of Belvedere, green coffee, green malt, woodruff sherry, red olive, and “not” lemon.
This cocktail experience is like no other – I can’t recommend checking this posh bar out enough. And if you’re refraining from alcohol, several of the eleven cocktails can be made sans booze.
Location: Lower Level of the Riggs: 900 F St. NW
Wishing you and yours a delicious start to your year. Stay tuned for more food and drink recommendations around the DC area and more news related to my soon to be released book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC!