Fall for These Flavors: 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: 

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. 

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: 

Spooky Specialty Menu at Gerrard Street Kitchen (The Darcy Hotel): From October 15 – November 2, Gerrard Street Kitchen’s bar will serve a festive Halloween-inspired menu featuring $9 spooky treats like Witches Fingers, Mummy Dogs, Witches Brew Lemonade, Pumpkin Spice White Russians, and more. 1515 Rhode Island Ave NW; thedarcyhotel.com

We All Want A Brunch Bazaar (Brunch Alert): The Bazaar by José Andrés at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC has added a new reason to visit: brunch. Served family-style and designed for sharing, “Snacks Like in Spain” set the tone: Catalan-style crystal bread with tomato, Ibérico ham, chorizo, and lomo. thebazaar.com

Don’t Lay a Finger…: Dolcezza is serving a Butterfinger Soft Serve Sundae— Butterfinger soft serve dipped in chocolate and topped with crushed Butterfinger bars. The sundae will be available exclusively at DOLCEZZA’s H St., Hirshhorn, and Mom & Pop locations from October 22 to November 2, in a cone or cup for $10. dolcezzagelato.com

Fall Refresh: Mi Vida is rolling out a bold new menu at its Wharf, Penn Quarter, and 14th Street locations. Highlights include inventive small plates, signature fajitas, and fan favorites reimagined – Un Poco De Todo replaces Fiesta de Botanas, while the El Express Lunch Menu now features Enchilada Suiza, Taco de Carne Asada with guacamole, chips, rice, beans, and sorbet. The beverage program also sees exciting updates, with new cocktails like Sangre Del Sol, El Diablo, and La Fiesta Dorada, low-alcohol options Medio y Medio and La Casita, and the exclusive tequila flight “¡Tequila! Straight from the Barrel”. 98 District Square; .mividamexico.com

Taco Tuesday: Pairaíso has taco Tuesday deals. Every Tuesday, buy two tacos and get a third one for free, including delicious options like Carne Asada with steak, cabbage, avocado sauce and scallions, and Baja Pescado with crispy tequila wild cod, grilled pineapple relish, and chipotle aioli. Offer excludes the Birria Tacos. paraisotaqueria.com

30 Years of Cakey Cookies: In celebration of Levain Bakery’s 30th anniversary, the iconic New York bakery is adding a long-awaited flavor to its lineup - White Chocolate Macadamia. The new cookie combines the rich, buttery sweetness of white chocolate with the distinctive, creamy nuttiness of macadamias, creating a perfectly indulgent balance.

Mom’s Recipes on the Menu: Vera Cocina has a new fall menu. At the core of Vera is the unexpected connection between Lebanon and Mexico, inspired by the Lebanese diaspora that settled in Veracruz in the 19th century. Highlights include the fan-favorite lamb brisket, now reimagined as lamb barbacoa, slow cooked with lebanese spices and served on a crisp tostada. Appetizers feature new housemade salsas and deep-fried pita bread, as it is traditionally done in Lebanese households. Another standout is the Lamb Arnabeet, tender lamb chops paired with red cauliflower and a blend of Mama Issa’s secret ingredients. The Squash & Falafel dish delivers a mix of vibrant textures and tastes with creamy tahini paste, crispy chickpeas and jelepons to round out this modern vegetarian offering. veradc.com

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

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 (Halloween Alert): 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

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

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

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:

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

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.comv