Every week, Washingtonian Food Editor Jessica Sidman rehashes the latest news from Washington’s food and drink scene in a newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.
Hi there,
Donald Trump news is spilling over into restaurant news yet again. Following Cork Wine Bar’s unfair competition lawsuit against the president and his DC hotel, Trump’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss last week. If you haven’t heard about the lawsuit, the 14th Street restaurateurs allege that they’re losing business lobbyists, government officials, and others who feel pressure to go to the Trump hotel in order to gain influence with the president.
Whatever you make of the lawsuit, you may be interested to read what it’s like to sue the president—from the supportive postcards to the scathing Yelp reviews and screaming phone calls. Most surprising of all, Cork co-owner Khalid Pitts didn’t even tell his mom first!
While we’re on the topic of Trump hotel… We rounded up avocado toast prices around town following viral remarks from an Australian millionaire suggesting that the artisanal food is the reason millennials can’t afford homes. Guess who serves the most expensive avocado toast ($18!) in DC?
If you think that’s crazy, check out our list of the most expensive sandwiches around DC. There’s even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for $20.
In other news, Clarendon has a new Asian fusion restaurant called Bar Bao. Of course, it offers bao as well as a dim sum-style brunch with a “bao bun Benedict program,” which basically means the pillowy rolls are served with different sauces and eggs. There’s also a poke taco on the menu and a $70 giant fortune cookie topped with ice cream. Needless to say, there’s a lot going on.
Curiously, poke tacos (and more bao buns!) will also make an appearance at Jinya Ramen Bar, a Los Angeles-based chain that’s coming to 14th Street. (The ramen restaurant also has a location in Fairfax’s Mosaic District.) We are truly living in unbelievable times.
What do you think of poke tacos? Emails me at jsidman@washingtonian.com.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
