The Week in Eats: 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).
So much more below: 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Arlington Restaurant Week: The 2025 Arlington Restaurant Week will be held on Monday, October 13 through Monday, October 20. During this event, diners will enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer at special prices. he goal of Arlington Restaurant Week is to help local restaurants gain exposure through extensive media promotion and to attract new patrons through experiencing their food. More info 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. 

Shuck It!: Early bird tickets are available for the Shuck It Oyster festival. 65 +dc tax per person* Join them for the 12th annual Georgetown Shuck It! Beer and Oyster Festival at Tony and Joe's! Saturday, October 18, 2025 1-5 pm ID required to enter. 21 and up. Get tickets here. 

Snallygaster: On October 11, 2025 the merry monster makes its triumphant return to DC for its 13th year as a rollicking tribute to the wonderful world of craft beer. Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, gravity kegs and bottle + can pours from 175+ of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. info here. 

Together We Dine: DMV, let’s get back to the table. Starting October 1, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) launches Together We Dine, a month-long initiative to rediscover favorite spots, explore new ones, and rally around the restaurants that feed our communities. More info here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

This is Redonculous: Big Buns has released THE REDONCULOUS BURGER. The burger features 14 oz. of Angus beef, loaded with chipotle cheddar, pickled red onions, crisp lettuce, tomato, dill pickles, and chipotle aioli, all tucked into a brioche bun that’s doing its best to hold it together. eatbigbuns.com

Bullseye: Flight Club DC has a new fall menu and new collaboration. The new fall items showcase bold autumnal flavors featuring seasonal ingredients such as butternut squash, pears, figs, apples, and warming spices. In addition to the fall menu highlights, Flight Club DC also announces its partnership with Four Walls Whiskey, an Irish-American whiskey created by the stars of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day. This collaboration brings the “Night Manhattan,” a bold, fall-forward take on the classic Black Manhattan. The cocktail blends Four Walls Whiskey with Averna Amaro, Angostura bitters, and black walnut bitters, garnished with Luxardo cherries and an orange peel, offering a warm, toasty profile that perfectly captures the essence of the season. flightclubdartsusa.com

Seasonal Sups: Arlo is celebrating fall with a new menu. A Barcelona native with a Michelin-starred background, Chef Moncayo continues to redefine modern Spanish dining in the nation’s capital with seasonal lunch, dinner and happy hour offerings that capture the spirit of fall.  Dinner highlights include Truffle Manchego Fideuà with earthy mushrooms and jamón, Grilled Salmon with Mojo Verde paired with roasted squash, and Churros served with Espelette pepper chocolate sauce. Lunch brings cozy additions like the Beet and Citrus Salad with whipped goat cheese and pistachios, while Happy Hour features festive cocktails such as the smoky Mírame and Rosado Berry Sangria. arrels-dc.com

Charley’s Going Coastal: Charley Prime Foods is turning the tide with a bold new direction that leans into the heart and soul of coastal Maryland dining. On Monday, October 13, Charley will reopen as a Chesapeake chophouse & bar — where the crab cake reigns supreme, the burgers are smashed, the tenders are double-dipped, and the sundaes come supersized. Charley’s menu will celebrate the way coastal dining should feel — casual, generous, and made for gathering with a cold Crush in hand. Guests can expect a rotating raw bar, peel ’n’ eat shrimp, fluffy cheddar Old Bay cathead biscuits, local beer and wine, and plenty of classic coastal gems: crab imperial-topped Chicken Chesapeake, cornmeal-crusted Maryland catfish, a luscious creamy crab dip, and the crown jewel — Charley’s signature Maryland-style crab cake — coming in at a whopping 9 oz, all lump, no filler. 9811 Washington Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878; eatatcharley.com

Spooky Sweets: Bayou Bakery is taking a bite out of the classic Dracula movie, celebrating its 75th Anniversary and is having a Bloody Good Run with immortal indulgences starting Monday, October 13! Rotating specials include Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with an oozing Vein of Cherry Filling, Count Dracula Coffin Brownies, Cobweb Cookies & Cream Rice Krispies, and Ghost and Bat Sugar Cookies. The Count's Crimson liquid will flow through the Blood Rush Slush, a riff on the classic slurpee, with Strawberry and Cherry flavors. 1515 N. Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA; bayoubakeryva.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

Honor the Mayan Lunar Goddess: dLeña is featuring a special Día de los Muertos menu now through Monday, November 3, celebrating the spirit of the season by honoring the Mayan lunar goddess Ix Chel. dLeña will also extend its bottomless brunch service for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 13. From 10am to 3pm, October 11 through October 13, dLeña brunch guests will choose between ordering bottomless food and drinks ($69) or bottomless food ($45) and drinks a la carte. Enjoy tacos campechanos with suadero beef, pork chorizo, salsa borracha, onion, and cilantro, rancheros divorciados with fried egg, pork chorizo, poached corn tortilla, spicy bean purée, chili morita sauce, salsa verde, charred panela cheese, and crema fresca, cazuela with creamy guajillo sauce, potato hash, fried egg, queso fresco, pickled onion, and avocado, and other decadent dishes. dlenadc.com

African Super Foods: Nuli, a first-of-its-kind, health-forward fast-casual restaurant spotlighting African superfoods and locally sourced produce has opened. The restaurant, founded by acclaimed Nigerian entrepreneur Ada Osakwe, will begin operating with newly expanded hours on Mondays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Menu items include Africa Magic Jollof rice and Fonio bowls, served with plantains, a green salad and a red bell-pepper sauté. The menu’s flavors are influenced not only by culinary traditions across Africa’s 54 countries, but also by the confluence of cultures within the continent, including elements of Mediterranean, Latin American and Indian ingredients. African superfoods like fonio, moringa, cassava, and baobab, can be found throughout the menu, ensuring these nutrient-dense, climate-resilient indigenous crops, sourced directly from smallholder farmers in Africa, are showcased to a global customer base. 1850 K St NW; nuliusa.com

Pumpkin Power: Chef Matt Conroy just introduced a refreshed Fall menu at Maison Bar a Vins. The new Campanelle Pasta features fresh pasta made in-house, tossed in a pumpkin/parmesan sauce, finished with shaved Burgundy black truffles, and topped with maple-roasted pumpkin seeds, sage, and Parmesan. The new Carrot Salad combines roasted local carrots, crisp apple, spicy nduja vinaigrette, and D’Ambert blue cheese for a balance of sweet, savory, and heat. New desserts include Profiteroles with banana ice cream and warm dark rhum caramel poured tableside, and a Dark Chocolate dessert with spiced red wine–poached pears and hazelnuts. maisondc.com

Marion Berry Avenue Market = Food Equity in the DMV: Marion Barry Avenue Market and cafe in Anacostia has opened with fresh produce, groceries and a fast casual cafe to the historic Ward 8. Marion Barry Avenue Market and Cafe is an initiative of Dreaming Out Loud, the non-profit dedicated to rebuilding urban community-based food systems, and supported by investments from both public and private partners, including the Longer Tables Fund, founded by Chef José Andrés, and Mayor Muriel Bowser through the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development’s (DMPED) Food Access Fund. Together, these partners are working to address urgent issues in food systems, social justice, education, and economic inclusion. dreamingoutloud.org

Now Open Monday: Annabelle is now serving dinner on Monday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to welcome the fall season. Executive Chef Michael Fusano’s seasonal menu embraces fall with menu highlights, including starters of Gingered Koginut Squash Soup with an Almond Cloud and Spiced Pepitas; Beef Tartare with Egg Emulsion, Parmigiano-Reggiano;Fennel Tarte Tatin with Pistou; Chicken Liver Pâté with Apples, and Brioche;Roasted Leeks with Lemon Beurre Blanc, Chive-Espelette Oil, and Romesco Sauce, and more.  2132 Florida Avenue, NW; annabelledc.com

Live Fire in DC: Brasero Atlántico has opened. Brasero Atlántico celebrates the rustic culinary traditions of Argentina shaped by waves of immigration across the Atlantic. At the helm of Brasero Atlántico’s kitchen is Executive Chef Manuela Carbone, a Buenos Aires native and rising star in global gastronomy. Dishes include Empanadas with fillings like king crab, ossobuco, and hand-cut beef; Palta Atlántica – lobster, avocado, and celery; Brasero Patê of foie gras with house-made chutney and herbs. 1066 Wisconsin Ave NW; floreriaatlanticodc.com

Two in the Market:  Slice & Pie has opened a new location on 4th street. You can look forward to the Burrata Pie made with California tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh burrata, and parmesan and the Detroit-Style Hot Honey topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, hot honey, and “cup and char” pepperoni. Appetizers such as meatballs and garlic knots will be available alongside meatball and Italian sandwiches. 1309 5th St. NE, Washington, DC 20002; sliceandpie.com

Mediterranean Mexican Mashup: Eunoia, NoMA’s newest dining destination rooted in cultural convergence has opened. The kitchen is led by Mexico City’s Chef Josa Maldonado. Designed for sharing, the menu features Maryland koshihikari brown rice, an umami-rich sticky rice topped with mushroom mole, egg yolk, and garlic tamari; buttered Chesapeake Bay blue crab, Eunoia’s ode to the District, served with carrots, espelette pepper, and optional caviar add-on, and Maine scallop aguachile with avocado, Sichuan pepper, burnt onion powder and housemade blue corn tostadas. 320 Florida Ave NE, Washington DC 20002; 

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:

You Should Give a Fig!: L’Avant-Garde invites you to indulge in the fleeting beauty of fig season with an exclusive three-course menu, La Figue. Dishes include Goat Cheese Salad — fresh figs, arugula, hazelnuts, orange confit, and thyme honey vinaigrette; Herb-Crusted Branzino — honey roasted figs, cauliflower purée, and aged parmesan emulsion; Tarte Fine aux Figues — with crème anglaise and a berries quenelle. 2915 M St NW; .lavantgardedc.com

That’s How It Crumbles: Jeni's new fall flavor, Caramel Apple Crumble is now available. Think orchard-fresh apples meet gooey caramel drizzle meets cozy oat crumble (gluten-free!)… basically, the sweater-weather dessert of your dreams. jenis.com

Ommm-akasi: Omakase Room by Tadayoshi has opened and he exclusive restaurant introduces Chef Tadayoshi Motoa’s extraordinary talent to the United States for the very first time. The menu will feature 20 courses, beginning at $200 per guest. Each dish reflects authentic Japanese culinary traditions and showcases refined seasonal ingredients, prepared with the precision and artistry that define Chef Tadayoshi’s style, including fish sourced directly from Tokyo’s renowned fish markets. 699 14th St NW; 

Ramen Bar Experience: The Darcy has a new ramen bar. Crafted under the vision of Executive Chef Bader Ali, the Ramen Bar at GSK celebrates the harmony of diverse Asian influences while staying true to our globally inspired culinary theme. Ramen bowls start at $18 with diners' choice of broth base, noodles and protein. The signature ramen at GSK is prepared with a deeply savory, slow-simmered house broth, complemented by your choice of artisanal noodles and premium protein, including chicken katsu, braised short rib, black garlic-glazed tofu and more. 1515 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005; thedarcyhotel.com

Ghanaian To Go: Chef Eric Adjepong has announced the opening of DAWA, a new casual carryout and delivery concept operating from Elmina. Sharing a focus on bold flavors from his Ghanaian roots, DAWA’s menu is a reflection of Elmina’s, but with a more casual vibe and approachable prices. DAWA is now open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, available for carryout and delivery via third-party apps. ing on to rich, slow-cooked dishes like Suya short rib or tamarind duck leg, both served with jollof rice and roasted tomato salad. 2208 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009; dawakitchen.com

Power Lunch is Back: Barbouzard has added a lunch service. Under the direction of acclaimed chef Cedric Maupillier, the lunch menu is designed to suit both the swift business lunch and the more leisurely midday meal, offering guests a momentary escape to the South of France. Highlights include Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, Ratatouille Parmigiana, and Grilled Octopus, alongside signatures like Saumon à l’Oseille and the Wagyu Cheeseburger with frites. Lighter options include the Chopped Salade Niçoise, Fruits de Mer Crudo, and chilled gazpacho. 1700 K St NW, Washington, DC; barbouzard.com

20 Years of Rasika : Rasika is celebrating 20 years. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, guests dining at Rasika Penn Quarter will be treated to featured “Best of Rasika” tasting menus in October, November, and December created by Chef Sunderam.  The five-course menu changes each month. The Non-Vegetarian Tasting Menu is priced at $90 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity, and the Vegetarian Tasting Menu is priced at $80. Wine Pairings can be enjoyed for an additional $55 per person.  633 D Street, NW; rasikarestaurant.com

Brunch, My Darling (Brunch Alert): Joon is launching a new $35 “Classic Feast” for brunch every weekend! The menu features classic Persian brunch dishes, from warm fava beans, falafel and hummus, to crispy tahdig rice and za’atar pickles. Opt for a classic brunch plate like the Joon French Toast with raspberries and lemon curd, or try the “Royal Feast” option for just $55 for chicken or beef kabobs in addition to all of the options in the classic feast. 8045 Leesburg Pike Suite 120; eatjoon.com

Midatlantic Dining in Reston: The Simon has opened. Executive Chef Anthony DiGregorio and Executive Pastry Chef Claus Olsen lead the kitchen with a menu that’s both rooted in place and globally refined. Standout dishes include Dry-Aged Duck à la Presse with lavender from the chef’s garden, Pennsylvania Golden Chicken with brioche stuffing, and Pan-Seared Local Rockfish with sauce vin jaune—plus a decadent tableside cheese cart showcasing the largest Murray’s Cheese collection outside New York. thesimonrestonstation.com