Ana at District Winery
385 Water St., SW
Combine a wine tasting and brunch in one afternoon at DC’s first full-production winery. Guests can settle into the pretty dining room overlooking the river for modern American dishes like potato pancakes with smoked salmon, green tomato shakshuka, or duck sausage tartines. Of course, there’s lot of wine to pair. Or try a brunch cocktail like the hangover-friendly “In a Pickle” with bubbly, cucumber, and dill syrup. Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 2:30 PM.
The Restaurant at the St. Regis
923 16th St., NW
Looking for a special occasion meal? The new Sunday buffet jazz brunch at the St. Regis fits the bill. Patrons can take a spin around charcuterie and seafood stations and order plated entrees such as eggs Benedict. There’s also a bottomless bloody Mary bar, and a Champagne/mimosa cart that makes its way around the room. The buffet is $59 per person; bottomless drinks are an additional $20. Sundays, 11:30 AM to 2 PM.
Del Mar
791 Wharf St., SW
Chef Fabio Trabocchi quietly opened his chic new Spanish spot at the Wharf for weekday lunch and weekend brunch—all the better to enjoy the airy, sunlit dining room and second-floor terrace. (The latter is open weather-permitting, with blankets to keep things cozy in cool weather.) Brunch brings decadent egg dishes—think Mallorca-style lobster with fried eggs and charcoal-baked potatoes—as well as tapas, paellas, and for the truly indulgent, seafood towers. Saturday, 11:30 AM to 2 PM; Sunday, 11 AM to 2 PM.
Calico
50 Blagden Alley, NW
Shaw’s new “urban garden” restaurant is designed to feel like a backyard party—so no, you won’t necessarily find omelettes. But who needs eggs when there’s a beautiful indoor/outdoor space, boozy juice boxes, and tomato pie? Chef Nathan Beauchamp’s menu takes cues from grill-outs and gatherings, so you may find roasted oysters alongside mugs of soup when it’s chilly. Saturday and Sunday, noon to close.
Ancient Rivers
2121 14th St., NW
Busboys & Poets owner Andy Shallal delves into his Iraqi and Middle Eastern heritage at this new 14th Street restaurant (previously Mulebone). A large all-day menu of mezze (small plates), salads, kabobs, and fresh-pressed juices is joined on weekends by brunch items such as goat cheese and herb frittatas, and eggs with merguez sausage. Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to close.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
