The D.C. Restaurants We Loved This Month

After a near decade-long run…

… we received word that Compass Rose will be closing on June 1. This news had me craving the restaurant’s signature dish, their cheesy khachapuri prepared tableside. You can get your Georgian fix while it lasts in addition to the array of other global cuisines you can find on Compass Rose’s menu, from Argentine asado to Tunisian kebab. But don’t shed too many tears for the closure: restaurateur Rose Previte says a new restaurant concept will be coming soon …

— Tim Ebner, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

This dish lives rent-free in my head…

… even though I haven’t had it in ages. I’m talking about the palak chaat at Rasika: shatteringly crisp baby spinach, the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with yogurt, tamarind, and dates. When a friend visiting from Geneva told me she was craving good Indian food (apparently in short supply in Switzerland), I knew we had to take her to chef Vikram Sunderam. I was worried the chaat might not hold up, but I’m pleased to report that this classic is just as excellent as I remember, and the six-hour dal makhani and gold leaf-flecked khubani ka kofta (cheese and potato dumplings in a creamy apricot sauce) gave impeccable supporting performances.

— Lani Furbank, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, happy hour, or dinner…

… Cafe Fili is that perfect “third space” that allows you to unwind and relax, or cram some work emails in between congressional meetings on Capitol Hill. I love this café for its dips and spreads, like a creamy hummus or tzatziki, but I also love it for the lamb shawarma, falafel, and ice-cold spritz on special during happy hour. The outside patio is a particularly great perch to people-watch and drink al fresco in the spring. But what truly sets this place apart from other cafés on Capitol Hill is the service. It’s always accommodating and friendly, and will make you feel as though you’re a neighborhood regular, whether you’re sitting at the communal table and meeting the person dining next to you, or sipping a Mediterranean wine at the bar.

— Tim Ebner, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

This was my second visit…

… to Dōgon and every dish delivered. The absolute standout was chef Kwame Onwuachi’s curry branzino, a perfectly executed blend of bold spices and comforting flavors. It’s hard to pick a favorite when everything is this good. Pro tip: Come with friends, order a variety, and share. It’s the best way to experience the magic.

— Carissa Tyson, Senior Issue Resolution Specialist

One of the things I love the most about the D.C. dining scene…

… is that our city is home to some seriously cool, creative dining experiences. Case in point: the new tasting menu at Sagrada, which is designed to mirror the stages of a psychedelic trip. The experience begins with a clearing of your chakras, and then leads to an eight-course dinner, for which I selected the plant-based version.

The dishes were extraordinary and took me on a wild mushroom-themed culinary journey. (Note, although the meal seeks to evoke the experience of a psychedelic trip, the restaurant doesn’t actually use magic mushrooms). It was absolute mushroom madness: mini huitlacoche quesadillas served on a bed of popcorn, sopes brimming with mushroom “caviar,” an avocado and beet tartare, panisse, and a platter with a gorgeous presentation of five kinds of mushrooms including enoki, maitake, and king trumpet. I loved every moment of the expedition, from setting intentions at the onset to the parade of artistically designed dishes, defined as “chapters” of the experience. My advice: be sure to book your “ticket” (aka reservation) for this culinary voyage as part of your summer vacation plans.

— Priya Konings, D.C. Writer, Resy Editorial

More D.C. staff picks, right this way.