What We’re Eating: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Weekly Roundup of Things to Eat

Winter has arrived, and the flavors are shifting with the season. You know our team at TheListAreYouOnIt.com dives deep into the DC culinary scene to uncover the most comforting, seasonal delights. The latest winter menus from many of your favorite local spots—and perhaps a few hidden gems—are here to warm you up. Hearty stews to indulgent holiday-inspired treats, we’re ready to embrace the cozy tastes of winter. Are you?

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Pitch Perfect: Do you have a story you want to get published? Learn how to craft a winning pitch that will get editors excited, and your story sold. Whether you hope to sell a personal essay or a reported story, veteran freelance writer Nevin Martell, whose work has appeared in dozens of high-profile publications, will teach you the techniques, tips, and tricks you need to know to do it successfully. Discover the best places to pitch stories and how to track down the right person to contact. Learn the art of writing an irresistible hook and a compelling query. Find out how to negotiate your fee and what to ask for in a contract to ensure you’re retaining the necessary rights, so you can use your story to create future works, such as a memoir or book-length project. You will receive two rounds of feedback on a pitch for a single story. February 18, 25, and March 4, 2025. Register here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Yay for All Day: Elena James, which opened its doors in Chevy Chase Lake in late November for dinner, has officially launched its All Day Cafe.  Offering breakfast and lunch options, Tuesday - Sunday, the extensive menu offers everything from housemade seasonal pastries, egg sandwiches, omelettes, pancakes as well lighter breakfast fare like fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. 8551 Connecticut Avenue; elenajamescc.com

Rage Can Be Spicy:  Female Rage, a DC-based hot sauze that channels women’s righteous anger into bold, locally sourced flavors and impactful action.Founded by Emily Roe in 2020, Female Rage was born from a desire to turn political frustration into change. Each bottle not only delivers fiery, nuanced flavor but also supports the DC Abortion Fund, helping women reclaim autonomy and equity.  Emily’s three signature flavors—Brown Sugar Peach, Honey Garlic Carrot, and Crimson Apple—blend sweetness with a creeping heat, making Female Rage a must-have for conscious food lovers. femaleragehotsauce.com

Breakfast Bingo: he National Landing BID, launched their first Breakfast Bingo campaign designed to promote local businesses while making mornings a little more fun for those returning to the office. Participants can join by picking up a card from any of the nine participating restaurants, downloading the Open Rewards app, and collecting stamps with purchases made before 11 a.m. To win, participants must get three stamps in a row and email a photo of their completed card to [email protected]. Participating restaurants include Brij Coffee House, Bubbie's Plant Burgers, Colada Shop, and more. nationallanding.org

Ten Years of Summer House: Summer House in North Bethesda is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this month at Pike & Rose. The restaurant is serving specials through Sunday, January 26 including an English Muffin Burger, Surfer Style Ahi Tuna Tacos, Shaved Vegetable Salad, Palm Fizz cocktail and more throwback menu items from the restaurant's first 10 years. 11825 Grand Park Ave; summerhouserestaurants.com

Bubble Brunch x DJ (Brunch Alert) : Transform your Sundays into a celebration of flavor and fun at Jackies. Try savory classics —all paired with bubbles bar, bottomless mimosas, or handcrafted cocktails. jackiedc.com

Paella, Please:  El Taller del Xiquet announced several new dishes are coming to the menu. Additions to the focused list of appetizers include Lledó’s take on Salpicón, a succulent medley of chopped razor clams, bay scallops, calamari, and mussels, complemented by pickled vegetables, escabeche and an oyster cream emulsion. Polp is a presentation of octopus and charred eggplant atop squid ink puree, fire-roasted potatoes and olive gel. 2404 Wisconsin ave; eltallerdelxiquet.com

Say ‘I Do’ to Steak Frites: More than 200,000 people will pop the “will you marry me” question this Valentine’s Day. Those that do it at one of the nine Medium Rare restaurants -- including their three DMV area locations: Cleveland Park (3500 Connecticut Ave NW); Arlington (3601 Fairfax Dr); and Bethesda (4904 Fairmont Ave) -- will win a free Steak Frites dinner on their wedding anniversary date every year for the rest of their married lives. The iconic Medium Rare Steak Frites dinner includes a culotte steak served with Medium Rare’s famous secret sauce, French fries, a side salad, and rustic bread all for the price of $34.95, and there are complimentary second servings of the steak and fries. 4904 Fairmont Ave; mediumrarerestaurant.com

LA Wildfire Relief Special: Slice & Pie: For the month of January, the NY-style pizza shop, Slice & Pie,  is donating a percentage of sales to Slice Out Hunger and has also added a button on their checkout screen, giving patrons an opportunity to add an additional donation. Slice Out Hunger is delivering pizzas to evacuation centers across the Los Angeles area. 2221 14th St NW; sliceandpie.com

LA Wildfire Relief Special: All Purpose: Chef Mike Friedman has teamed up with Slice Out Hunger, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, to deliver pizzas to displaced victims of the L.A. wildfires. Friedman's special Santa Cruz pie features whipped ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, artichokes, roasted garlic, arugula, Calabrian chilis, and herb vinaigrette. The L.A.-inspired special is $23 and available through February 5; 15% of the special's sales will go directly to the Slice Out Hunger L.A. Wildfire relief efforts. 1250 9th st; allpurposedc.com

Swingin’ Sunday (Brunch Alert): Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen has a new jazz brunch. Derek Brock brings his New Orleans-inspired guitar magic, while multi-instrumentalist James Key switches effortlessly between Django-style guitar and upright bass. Pair their sophisticated sounds with some new cocktails that are a nod to the 60s era and signature Southern brunch dishes.6641 old Dominion Road

Chef Update: Charlie Loomis at Ellington Park Bistro:  The St. Gregory Hotel in Dupont Circle Washington D.C. announced Charlie Loomis to take over as Executive Chef at the much-loved Ellington Park Bistro. Loomis brings an extensive background in the culinary world, from education to hospitality, most recently serving as the Director of Food & Beverage at the Washington Dulles Marriott, where he oversaw a best-in-class program. Prior to that position, he was tasked with reinvigorating the Barasti Beach Club at the Westin/Le Meridien in Dubai, successfully re-launching the venue after the COVID-19 pandemic. stgregoryhotelwdc.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

USDA Prime: 801 Chophouse Tysons Corner invites guests into a timeless realm full of sleek and sophisticated finishes. Each visit to 801 Chophouse is a meticulous showcase of the restaurant’s in-house beef program, where only the finest aged USDA Prime steaks, along with premium Wagyu — A5 Japanese and domestic — and Kobe Beef, are prepared and served with the utmost precision and care. 8484 Westpark Dr; 801chophouse.com

New in Chantilly: Farmside Kitchen, a modern fast-casual eatery inspired by farm-fresh flavors and sustainable practice has come to the commonwealth. The menu is anchored by its signature “Farmbowls” – hearty, nutrient-packed bowls crafted with fresh grains, leafy greens, and proteins like grilled chicken, tofu, and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Guests can also build their own bowl or choose from nine expertly curated options that accommodate a variety of preferences, from keto to vegan. Farmbowls will range from $9.95 to $11.95, with group ordering options available. 14385 Newbrook Dr #500, Chantilly, VA 20151; farmsidekitchen.com

Market, Tavern, & Event Space: Cooper Mill: Named after the former mill on the site and the craftsmen who worked inside it, Cooper Mill preserves the charm of the brick warehouse, built in1856 as a manufacturing plant to create barrels for the Alexandria Flour Company and later serving as a Civil War mess hall for the Union Army. The menu ranges from tavern style bites, to fresh pizzas, signature salads and a selection of Cooper Mill Zepps - a hearty rustic style sandwich. 10 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; thecoopermill.com

Top Chef is Back: Downtown Frederick has a new hotel for the first time in 50 years. Visitation Hotel Frederick officially opens its doors on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Along with it comes Bryan and Michael Voltaggio's Wye Oak Tavern, the "Top Chef" brothers first joint restaurant in their hometown of Frederick. The Voltaggios will run Wye Oak Tavern (modern-day tavern and steakhouse), Acorn Provisions (grab-and-go cafe) and all event catering. 211 E Church Street; visitationhotel.com  

Dim Sum Want Some (Brunch Alert): Chef Peter Chang is bringing his popular all-you-can-eat dim sum brunch deal to the District. Priced at $38 per person, you can mix and match traditional dim sum (including Shanghai Pork Soup Dumplings, Cantonese Beef with Rice Noodles, Barbecue Pork Buns, Shrimp & Chive Pancakes, and more) alongside vegetarian dishes & sweet options that include Red Bean & Pumpkin Fritters and Charcoal Lava Custard Buns. 1200 19th St NW; changchangdc.com

Champagne with Dinner: Ilili DC is now offering a Chicken and Champagne dinner, perfect for enjoying on a date night. Enjoy Black Truffled Sumac Whole Chicken paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blanc champagne. Pricing for the pairing is $305. 100 District Square; ililirestaurants.com