Shakespeare Theatre Company Mock Trial at Harman Hall
The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 36th Annual Mock Trial brings together a prestigious panel...
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{What’s in that empty storefront? Which favorite chef is opening up where, and when? All those details and more in Coming Soon.
LOBBY BAR
PROJECTED OPENING: Spring 2025 224 7th Street SE Located in the heart of Capitol Hill, Lobby Bar will be debuting this spring, offering a refined yet playful take on classic American fare and expertly crafted cocktails. The 2000 square-foot restaurant is designed with the goal of being a gathering place for all. Lobby Bar will blend sophistication with a welcoming, lively atmosphere. The reimagined space will include 18 bar seats, cozy booths, a communal table for larger parties, and patio seating for dining alfresco. Their innovative menu will showcase elevated American favorites with a modern twist, while the bar program leans into both classic and creative cocktails. Lobby Bar will also be sourcing many ingredients from the historic Eastern Market. For more information, visit their Instagram here.
{Keeping you up to date on the absolute latest in restaurant openings in the DC Metro area.
THE OCCIDENTAL
1475 Pennsylvania Avenue NW The Occidental, Stephen Starr’s glamorous reimagining of the legendary Washington restaurant that once drew the world’s most important statesmen for the ultimate in power dining, has opened at the historic Willard Hotel. Designed by Ken Fulk, the 280-seat Occidental is STARR Restaurants’ most luxe Washington restaurant yet, with caviar service, perfectly executed martinis, and a menu featuring iconic American dishes and steakhouse favorites. The Occidental’s menu is uniquely focused on reviving classic American fare for a new generation of diners. Menu highlights include Shrimp Louis, Lobster Newberg, Prime Rib, and more. The Occidental’s cocktail menu is equally focused on classics, perfectly executed. The wine list is among the most expansive of any STARR restaurant in Washington, drawing from wine-growing regions around the world, from California, Washington and Western Europe to Greece, Lebanon and Armenia. For more information, click here.Photo by Birch Thomas
All the food news that you can use.
National Espresso Martini Day is Coming In Hot
March 15th is National Espresso Martini Day, and what better excuse to sip on this rich, caffeinated classic? The Espresso Martini has been stealing the spotlight on menus all over the DMV — Bold espresso kick + smooth, boozy finish = pure magic. And if you’ve been humming Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso on repeat (guilty! 🎶), you know this drink has been having a long moment.To learn what makes a killer Espresso Martini, we popped into the new, super sexy Bar Betsie in the Union Market District for a lesson from one of the area’s most notable shakers, Jean Paul Sabatier (aka JP). According to JP, it’s all about balance — rich espresso, quality vodka, coffee liqueur, and just the right amount of sweetness. The result? A silky, frothy delight that’s dangerously easy to drink.But wait — JP asked, "Should we be bad?" Um...yes! JP tipped us off to the Espresso Martini at Jane Jane — fittingly called the "Should We Be Bad?" — and trust me, if JP suggests you should be bad, the answer is always yes. He even graciously provided the recipe so you can shake one up at home. Want to watch him shake it up himself? Check out the video, here.Should We Be Bad? Espresso MartiniJP Sabatier, Jane Jane & Bar BetsieServes OneFill shaker with icePour in:1 oz Bourbon1 oz Cold Brew1 oz St. George Coffee Liqueur1/2 oz Velvet Falernum1 Dash Orange BittersShake vigorouslyStrain into a coupe or martini glassGarnish with an orange twistWant to take a tour of the best Espresso Martinis in the DMV? Check out our picks below and sip along… "That’s that me espresso..." 🎵 All Set: Wicked Good Morning, available during brunch, made with cinnamon infused whiskey, almond cream, Dave's Coffee syrup, coffee Balos: An array of flavored espresso martinis - The Classic, Chocolate,Salted Caramel & S’mores Bresca: The Espresso Martini with D’Usse Cognac, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Espresso, Demerara, and nutmeg El Chucho: Espresso-Tini Nitro, with cold brew casa noble tequila, amaro & bitters, aqufaba Colada Shop: Cardello The espresso martinis Latin cousin. Gold, rum, espresso, banana Lacore, and spiced maduro syrup Corso: Espresso Martini with Tito’s Vodka, Bailey’s, Kahlua, and fresh-brewed espresso (try it for just $5 every Tuesday during their all-day ‘Tini Tuesday martini special) Cucina Morini: Express-Oh! Martini with Grey Goose vodka, Foro Amaro, Luxardo espresso liqueur, La Colombe espresso, nitro Le Diplomate: Espresso Martini with Wheatley Vodka, Cafe Amaro, and Don Ciccio Walnut Liqueur Lucy: Espresso Martini with Luksusowa vodka, Don Ciccio Cioccolato, espresso, cinnamon, chocolate bitters Jane Jane: Should We Be Bad (see above!) https://janejanedc.com/Lucy: Espresso Martini with Luksusowa vodka, Don Ciccio Cioccolato, espresso, cinnamon, chocolate bitters Perry’s: Not An Espresso Martini with Cacao nib tea, Stoli vanilla, Mr. Blacks, Rocktown cacao and Irish Cream, Licor 43 River Club: Affogato Martini with Vusa vodka, Galliano Ristretto, Amaro y Arroyo, vanilla gelato, pistachio oil, vanilla, espresso, pistachio crumbles Service Bar: SB Espresso Martini with J. Rieger vodka, 99% bittersweet chocolate, double brew coffee, coconut, Don Ciccio Concerto Silver Lyan: 1942 Espresso Martini with Don Julio 1942, cinnamon piloncillo, orange CANNED COCKTAIL ALERT:Charbay Espresso Cocktail: Made with Arabica & Robusta coffee beans, real Tahitian & Triunfadora vanilla, and a cane neutral spirit base St Agrestis Phony Espresso Negroni: A non-alcoholic option with a touch of carbonation to mimic the bite of alcohol Tip Top Espresso Martini Cocktail: Made with vodka, Counter Culture espresso, and vanilla
Where is Nycci? Here, there, and everywhere in media outlets across the city.
Eater: Moon Rabbit hosts top female pastry...
This Sellout Collab Pizza in D.C. Is Here to Stay; Plus, a Mount Pleasant mainstay celebrates seven years, Moon Rabbit hosts top female pastry chefs (featuring mini interviews by Nycci Nellis), and more intel from Emily Venezky for Eater DC, here.Photo: Maria Rebrikova for Slice & Pie
Tune in regularly to hear Nycci Nellis talk food trends and news on WTOP Radio.
Nycci's Can't-Miss NYE 2025 Parties
Ring in the 2025 with a bash! Nycci has you covered with the new year's parties in the DC area! Listen now.
Take a deep dive into the Industry and beyond.
Industry Night: Indulgence Meets Nourishment
Welcome to Industry Night. I'm Nycci Nellis, and today we highlight two chefs transforming Washington D.C.'s culinary landscape. At Jackie in the Navy Yard, Chef Domenico Cornacchia leverages his experience from Café Milano to create menus that resonate with a diverse, younger audience, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and value-driven offerings.Joining him is Chef Johanna Hellrigl of Ama, an all-day dining establishment focused on sustainability and health-conscious cuisine. Drawing from her family's legacy in Michelin-starred restaurants, Johanna has developed a restaurant that prioritizes regenerative ingredients and fosters a sense of community.This episode delves into how these chefs balance rich Italian traditions with modern dining trends, offering valuable insights for food enthusiasts, aspiring chefs, and advocates of sustainable practices. Join me, Nycci Nellis, as we explore the innovative approaches shaping D.C.'s dining future.Watch the full episode here or listen to the full episode here.
