Don’t Ghost These Plates: TheList’s List of Good Eats

Hello, fall. The DMV is sliding into cozy season. You know, tailgates, steins, sweater-weather patios, and menus swapping sweet corn for squash and figs. At TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up the can’t-miss bites and sips of the season. 

Get game-day ready with our NFL roundup (here). 

It’s still al fresco in our book, see Patio Pleasure and Up On The Roof (here, and here).

Ill-affected by the shutdown? At least there's some fun specials to cheer you up, here.

Looking for this week's best sips? Go here.

So much more below: 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Winter Coat Drive at Lapis: The Popal Group (Lapis, Lapop, Lutèce, Maison, Pascual) is bringing back its Winter Coat & Accessories Drive for a second year to support Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA). From now until December 14, the team will collect new or like-new coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for refugees, immigrants, and local neighbors in need. Donations can be dropped off daily at Lapis (1847 Columbia Rd NW) between 11 AM - 3 PM and 5 PM - 9 PM. In December, the Lapis team will deliver the items and volunteer at LSSNCA’s Resource Center in Alexandria. 1010 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC, DC 20037-2347; tickets here. 

Virginia Wine Dinner: a.kitchen + Bar is hosting a wine dinner on November 7th. Chef Eli Collins is having a three-course, family-style menu, meets a curated selection of four wines from dynamic Virginia wine producers Common Wealth Crush Co., Patois, and Domaine Finot - Turk Mountain Vineyards.

Dolcezza x The Little Grand Fundraiser for Capital Area Food Bank: As SNAP benefits are set to lapse on November 1, more than 1.5 million people in the DC region could lose access to essential food aid. With local food banks already stretched thin, two H Street favorites — The Little Grand and DOLCEZZA — are teaming up to help. On November 9–10 (5–9 PM), the duo will host a Slices & Soft Serve Party to raise funds for the Capital Area Food Bank, which is working around the clock to meet surging demand from families, furloughed workers, and others affected by the SNAP shortfall and federal government shutdown. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank, with a fundraising goal of $2,000. 807 7th St. NE; More info here. 

Four Seasons Wine & Dine: Four Seasons DC Wine & Dine is back this fall for its fourth annual edition, November 13–14, 2025. This two-night culinary celebration brings together celebrity chefs, acclaimed local talent, and world-class wines and spirits, all in support of cancer research at MedStar Health. Information is available here. 

DCCK Capital Food Fight: DC Central Kitchen's Capital Food Fight, presented by Tyson Foods, is set for Thursday, November 6th at The Anthem. The annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen includes a thrilling stage show featuring the rising stars of DC’s culinary scene, tastes from dozens of top restaurants from across the region, and appearances from some of the biggest names in food. More info here. 

Kyojin Tuna Cutting Class: Kyojin's Tuna Cutting class is happening on November 13th. Step inside The Sake Room for an intimate, sensory-driven journey featuring a live whole bluefin tuna carving and a guided whisky experience with The Macallan Harmony Collection ($150 pp, all inclusive). You'll also enjoy Two Signature Macallan Cocktails and Caviar Bump Passing. 3315 Cady's Alley NW Suite B; kyojindc.com

Mallard Wine Dinner: On Friday, November 14th, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Treveri Cellars is hosting a Wine Dinner with Christian Grieb. They are welcoming Christian Grieb, Treveri Cellars winemaker, to Mallard for an intimate four-course meal by Chef Hamilton Johnson. 1337 14th St NW; Event details here. 

Georgetown Cookie Tour: Join Georgetown Main Street for our annual Cookie Tour this holiday season. There are two cookie tour weekends: Saturday, December 6th and Saturday, December 13th from 1:00 - 4:30pm. Retail partners and Georgetown bakeries are still to be announced, but rest assured that we'll have delicious cookies and excellent holiday shopping spots per usual. georgetownmainstreet.com

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

The Inn is In: The Fountain Inn has recently dropped its new Autumn menu. New highlights include Bacon Cornbread served with yondu butter, Cured Ocean Trout with tom kha “dip n dots” and coriander gremolata, and a velvety Honeynut Squash Soup finished with maple crème fraîche, crispy quinoa, and foie gras fat. 1659 Wisconsin Ave NW; fountaininndc.com

Bottomless Dim Sum (Brunch Alert):  Bar Chinois now has DC's Bottomless Dim Sum Brunch. You can choose from bottomless dim sum for $37, select bottomless drinks for $23, or combine both for $57. The stellar offer is available Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm with a two hour time limit. The unlimited dim sum plates include a wide selection like the fan favorite Red Chili Wontons, with pork & shrimp, garlic, chili oil, scallions and soy vinaigrette, the delicious Gyoza de Boeuf with French onion beef, gruyere, swiss, pickled onions and cilantro aioli, and the classic Breakfast Fried Rice with shrimp, sweet pork sausage, scallions, egg and Chef’s soy. 455 Eye Street; barchinoisdc.com

Chef Update: Chef Jordan Lloyd at Great Oak Manor: Great Oak Manor has appointed Executive Chef and Culinary Director Jordan Lloyd, a native of the Eastern Shore with an impressive culinary and hospitality background spanning over two decades at critically acclaimed restaurants in New York City, Washington, DC, Miami, and more. The property’s immersive culinary seriesTaste of Great Oak Manor features a weekend dedicated to cooking demonstrations and classes, coursed meals, and fireside chats with award-winning chefs. 10568 Cliff Rd Chestertown, MD 21620; greatoakmanor.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:

I Need More Cowbell: Cowbell Seafood & Oyster in Union Market has opened. Cowbell Seafood & Oyster is from Sara Quinteros and Chef Reid Shilling, the creative minds behind Fancy Ranch Amish Fried Chicken. The restaurant blends dockside nostalgia with a wink—think freshly shucked oysters on ice, Baltimore-inspired golden crab cakes, and crispy fried chicken tenders done right. 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002; cowbellseafood.com

Harp on This: Ruairi Deburca, Jacob Schoonover, and Ashley Lee are teaming up to open The Harp Cask and Kiln (The Harp), a modern Irish pub. The menu blends traditional Irish comfort with modern influences, featuring dishes such as Shepherd’s Pie Croquettes, Fish & Chips, and Ox Tongue Pie, alongside plates like The Harp Burger and Roasted Cauliflower. The bar program highlights Guinness on tap, an extensive Irish whiskey list, and a cocktail menu that combines classic technique with house-made ingredients. 3126 12th Street NE; theharp-dc.com

Stone Crab Season: Every year, Truluck’s captures, prepares and serves over 350,000 delicious Florida stone crab claws during its peak season from mid-October through May. Truluck’s Florida Stone Crab is the perfect way to both elevate the everyday or celebrate a special occasion. Add this delectable and indulgent addition to Truluck’s classic menu offerings including expertly butchered hand-cut steaks, always 100% USDA prime native cattle and aged a minimum of 30 days, as well as the extraordinary TRU PEARLE oysters, an East Coast oyster that has been hand-selected and raised with care, precision, and purpose. trulucks.com

The Big Night Feast: Acqua Bistecca unveils The Big Night, which brings to life the warmth and theatricality of Italian hospitality — abundant, communal, and celebratory. Guests can expect a curated progression of dishes that capture the essence of a shared feast, including True Wild Caught Whole Branzino and a showstopping Butcher’s Board featuring a 40oz Bistecca alla Fiorentina. No substitutions are allowed, ensuring the integrity of the experience, though dietary allergies will be accommodated. acquabistecca.com

Grab Your Passport: Motorkat has a new tasting dinner, titled "Passport Series". The first installment will be at the end of this month, titled "Tales From Chiba". This dinner will feature a four-course dinner including pairings of sake from the Chiba Prefecture, Japan, taking place on one night only, Saturday October 25. The Motorkat team, including Executive Chef Danny Wells and Wine Director Marshall McGlone, have worked together to create a tasting experience that will be both exploratory and educational, designed to deepen the appreciation of sake and highlight the way it elevates each course. 6939 Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park, MD; motorkat.com