Housed in an unexciting looking modern building, at first glance this place is nothing special. But once you step inside Founding Farmers and feel the buzz – and join the line of you haven’t booked – it’s another matter entirely. Centre stage is an elliptical peninsula bar. Here you may perch on your stool in the middle of the action, eating your supper watching the award-winning mixologists at work, or take a proper table and eat at a more relaxed pace. Try the corn bread served in a skillet with honey; fried green tomatoes or southern pan-fried chicken. Beer from local microbreweries is excellent. Fresh, local produce is favoured and they have a beehive planned for the roof. Brash, noisy and terrific fun. www.wearefoundingfarmers.com
Teaism could not be more different. It’s as soothing and calming as its food. Freshly cooked to order, try seitan stir fry with macadamia nuts and brown rice or a buffalo burger on focaccia bread with Asian slaw. Wash it down with the best tea you’ve ever tasted or pomegranate juice with blueberry. Three branches, DuPont Circle getting my vote. www.teaism.com
A gelato-style ice-cream parlour, Dolcezza is full of character. Old window frames are hung on the walls as menu boards; they write on the glass. The ice cream is all hand made with fresh ingredients and no additives. My favourite is the branch at Dupont circle – around a huge gnarled old oak table, complete with vase of fresh flowers, students are normally tapping away on their laptops, and eating ice cream. They also serve very good coffee (they have their own roaster) and churros. dolcezzagelato.com
This deli has a simple concept – you choose your bread, then your fillings and voila – your sandwich. Thing is, at Café Phillips, there is a huge variety of fresh bread from which to choose – rye, caraway seed, focaccia, sundried tomato – not a Mother’s Pride in sight – and then you choose from a long list of fillings, that are there right in front of you – beef, chicken, turkey, salt beef, often carved in front of you off the bone – and then as well as the usual lettuce, tomato, cucumber, there is gherkin, mashed avocado and red onion marmalade. Always busy, it’s not usually long before you get a seat. Dotted over the city, they are all a bit different. www.cafephillips.com
Don’t go in a big huff when you realize this place is vegetarian. The food at Café Green is also vegan and some of it is raw. If that is a bridge too far, just give it a go anyway. After a week of Desperate Dan size meals loaded with greasy calories, it’s a welcome respite. The mandoo Korean dumpling with dipping sauce and mung bean pancakes are both excellent starters. The Mac n Cheese is made with nutritional yeast – this information is perhaps superfluous as it’s delicious anyway. For comfort food extraordinaire, try the “meat” loaf, served with creamy mash, roast asparagus, carrots and gravy. www.javagreen.net
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