My Top 5 Places to Eat in DC & Virginia

Places to eat is a new series I am adding to my Lifestyle portfolio to explore a wide range of delicious culinary flavors in the DC and Virginia area. If you have followed my blog in the last decade, this is not a new idea. Reviewing restaurants has been something I have done to guide people on where to eat in the city I am exploring. However, I have decided to be more consistent with this niche adding it to my existing fashion portfolio.

Below is a lists of favorite places I have eaten at in the DC area.

Lady Camellia, Virginia

Nestled in the heart of Alexandria, Lady Camellia transforms afternoon tea into an art form. Their scones arrive warm and crumbling, bearing the perfect balance of buttery richness and delicate texture. But it’s their soufflé that steals the show – rising majestically above its ramekin, it quivers with promise before collapsing into a cloud of ethereal sweetness. The hot pot pies, with their impossibly flaky crusts, serve as a reminder that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most profound.

Thompson’s Italian, Virginia

In a world of trendy restaurant concepts, Thompson’s Italian stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of well-executed classics. Their Almond Joy dessert plays with nostalgia while elevating it to new heights. The roasted chicken – so often an afterthought on Italian menus – emerges from their kitchen golden and succulent, while the meatballs could make any nonna proud. But it’s their squid ink pasta that haunts my dreams, its briny depth perfectly balanced with the sweetness of fresh seafood.

Josephine’s Old Town, Virginia

Nestled in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria is a repurposed fire station, Josephine’s, with a beautiful vintage architectural interior that greets you as you walk in. It’s home for me, as I had brunch and dinner over a dozen times in 2024. Here, French classics receive the reverence they deserve. The French onion soup arrives under a blanket of bronzed Gruyère, concealing a rich broth that speaks of hours of patient preparation. Their steak au poivre carries the perfect peppery crust, while the accompanying salad provides a bright counterpoint with its impeccably balanced vinaigrette.

Red Hen, DC

Sometimes a single dish can define an evening. That was my experience visiting Red Hen in the spring of 2024. Their spring menu were full of amazing surprises but what kept me coming back was the scallops – As someone who doesn’t always venture out when it comes to food, Red Hen initiated me into the world of scallops, each one seared to golden perfection, sweet and tender within, telling a story of both technical precision and thoughtful sourcing.

Oku, Nashville Tennessee also DC

This unexpected gem in Nashville, was one of my favorite out-of-town discoveries this year. It turns out there is a chain of the restaurant around the U.S and including Washington DC. It is simply the best Sushi I have had and proves that exceptional Japanese cuisine knows no geographic bounds. Their TOMOROKOSHI – sweet corn elevated with Japanese aioli, togarashi, and parmesan – creates an inspired fusion that somehow makes perfect sense. The lobster pasta speaks to the kitchen’s ability to honor both Japanese and Western techniques, while their sushi program stands toe-to-toe with coastal competitors.

Worthy Mentions

Le Diplomate’s profiterole pastry continues to set the standard in DC, each viennoiserie a masterclass in French technique. Meanwhile, Ada’s by the River proves that their scallop preparation deserves its own praise for getting their scallops near close to my favorite – each visit confirms why this dish has become a signature.

As I reflect on these culinary highlights, I’m struck by how naturally food writing has woven itself into my existing passion for style and aesthetics. After all, both fashion and food speak to our fundamental desire for beauty, creativity, and expression. Here’s to more delicious discoveries in the year ahead.